HSP65-PRA identification of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria from 4892 samples suspicious for mycobacterial infections

Various molecular methods have been used for the rapid identification of mycobacterial species. In this survey, evaluation of antibiotic resistance and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PRA) of the hsp65 gene was carried out for identification of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) isolates from different clinical specimens. Forty-eight different mycobacterial isolates were selected and followed by the conventional and PRA of hsp65 for species identification. The antibiotic susceptibility test was carried out according to standard methods. A 439 bp PCR product of hsp65 in all selected isolates was amplified and digested with the BstEII and HaeIII restriction enzymes. The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns were analyzed for species identification. Using PRA for 48 mycobacterial selected isolates, including 15 M. tuberculosis, one M. bovis and all 32 isolates of NTM, revealed 11 different species among the NTM isolates. The most frequent NTM isolates were M. kansasii, M. gordonae III, M. marinum, M. chelonae, M. scrofluaceum and M. gastri. In most cases, the PRA results were perfectly in accordance with the classical biochemical method. Combination of resistance to rifampin and isoniazid was present among M. kansasi, M. gordoniae III, M. scrofluaceum, M. chelonae, M. marinum, M. gastri, M. gordoniae II and M. trivale isolates. A high incidence of co-resistance to six, five, four and three anti-TB drugs was observed in 18.5%, 9.1%, 6.6% and 11.7% of all NTM isolates, respectively. Our results showed that PRA, in comparison with classical methods, is rapid and accurate enough for the identification of mycobacterial species from LJ medium. Additionally, we found that in Iran we have a highly diverse population of NTM isolates among patients suspected of having TB.

Hydrophilic gel composition effect on the molecular association and spectroscopic behavior of rhodamine B

Electronic absorption spectra of rhodamine B dye in aqueous solutions and in a polyacrylamide hydrogel matrix with different structural compositions were studied at room temperature. The transport and the solute–solute interactions of rhodamine B in aqueous solutions across the hydrophilic gels were investigated via exploration of the spectral properties of the dye-loaded hydrogel. The nature of the dye pair interactions in these media was discussed using the Kasha exciton theory. In addition, the monomer–dimer equilibrium of rhodamine B molecules in hydrogels with different compositional percentages was studied by means of UV–vis spectroscopy and least-squares fitting methods.

Increasing antimicrobial resistance among Shigella isolates in the Bushehr, Iran

Antibiotics are drugs used for treatment of infections caused by bacteria. Misuse and overuse of these drugs have contributed to phenomena known as antibiotic resistance. In this research, the antimicrobial resistance of the Shigella has been determined. This descriptive research analyzed registered laboratory data of patients referred to Fatemeh Zahra Hospital of the Bushehr, Iran. Shigella was isolated from their cultured sample from the year 2002-2008. In this study, the total of 121 registered Shigella collected from 2002-2008 were analyzed. There were 62 cases of S. sonnei, 46 cases of S. flexneri, eight cases of S. boydii and five cases of S. dysenteriae among them. Furthermore, two cases of Shigella sonnei were collected from the blood and the rest from the watery stools of the infected patients. The following is the resistance pattern of these organisms; to ciprofloxacin, 4.25%; ceftizoxime, 8.62%; nalidixic acid, 12.12%; co-trimoxazole, 86.13% and to tetracycline, 93.02%. Results ofantibiogram showed that highest rate of drug resistance belongs to tetracycline and co-trimoxazole and the lowest belongs to ciprofloxacin and ceftizoxime. One of the important issue for clinicians, now a day is drug resistance of microorganisms. This phenomenon is increasing due to some factors such as improper use of antibiotics and irrational prescribing. These factors lead to development of new drug resistant species.

Quantifying spatiotemporal chaos in Rayleigh-Bénard convection

Using large-scale parallel numerical simulations we explore spatiotemporal chaos in Rayleigh-Bénard convection in a cylindrical domain with experimentally relevant boundary conditions. We use the variation of the spectrum of Lyapunov exponents and the leading-order Lyapunov vector with system parameters to quantify states of high-dimensional chaos in fluid convection. We explore the relationship between the time dynamics of the spectrum of Lyapunov exponents and the pattern dynamics. For chaotic dynamics we find that all of the Lyapunov exponents are positively correlated with the leading-order Lyapunov exponent, and we quantify the details of their response to the dynamics of defects. The leading-order Lyapunov vector is used to identify topological features of the fluid patterns that contribute significantly to the chaotic dynamics. Our results show a transition from boundary-dominated dynamics to bulk-dominated dynamics as the system size is increased. The spectrum of Lyapunov exponents is used to compute the variation of the fractal dimension with system parameters to quantify how the underlying high-dimensional strange attractor accommodates a range of different chaotic dynamics.

Nutritional value of raw soybeans, extruded soybeans, roasted soybeans and tallow as fat sources in early lactating dairy cows

Thirty multiparous Holstein cows (29.8 ± 4.01days in milk; 671.6 ± 31.47 kg of body weight) were used in a completely randomized design to compare nutritional value of four fat sources including tallow, raw soybeans, extruded soybeans and roasted soybeans for 8 weeks. Experimental diets were a control containing 27.4 % alfalfa silage, 22.5% corn silage, and 50.1% concentrate, and four diets with either tallow, raw soybean, extruded soybean, or roasted soybean added to provide 1.93% supplemental fat. Dry matter and NEL intakes were similar among treatments, while cows fed fat diets had significantly (P<0.05) high NEL intakes when compared to control with no fat. Supplemental fat, whether tallow or full fat soybeans increased milk production (1.89-2.45 kg/d; P<0.01) and FCM production (1.05-2.79; P<0.01). Milk fat yield and percentage of cows fed fat-supplemented diets were significantly (P<0.01 and P<0.05 respectively) higher than control. Between fat-supplemented diets, roasted soybean caused highest milk fat yield and extruded soybean caused lowest milk fat yield. There was no significant effect of supplemental fat on the milk protein and lactose content and yield. Feed efficiency of fat-supplemented diets was significantly (P<0.01) higher than control. Body weight, body weight change and BCS (body condition score) of cows, as well as energy balance and energy efficiency were similar between treatments. In conclusion, while there was no significant effect of fat sources on production response of cows, fat originating from heat-treated soybean help to minimize imported RUP (rumen undegradable protein) sources level as fish meal in comparison with tallow and raw soybean oil. In the Current study, there was no statistical significance among nutritional values of oil from extruded soybeans and roasted soybeans.

Exploring spiral defect chaos in generalized Swift-Hohenberg models with mean flow

We explore the phenomenon of spiral defect chaos in two types of generalized Swift-Hohenberg model equations that include the effects of long-range drift velocity or mean flow. We use spatially extended domains and integrate the equations for very long times to study the pattern dynamics as the magnitude of the mean flow is varied. The magnitude of the mean flow is adjusted via a real and continuous parameter that accounts for the fluid boundary conditions on the horizontal surfaces in a convecting layer. For weak values of the mean flow, we find that the patterns exhibit a slow coarsening to a state dominated by large and very slowly moving target defects. For strong enough mean flow, we identify the existence of spatiotemporal chaos, which is indicated by a positive leading-order Lyapunov exponent. We compare the spatial features of the mean flow field with that of Rayleigh-Bénard convection and quantify their differences in the neighborhood of spiral defects.

Issues in the management of simple and complex meconium ileus

INTRODUCTION

Various surgical methods are used to treat meconium ileus (MI), including resection with enterostomy (RES), primary anastomosis (RPA), and purse-string enterotomy with intra-operative lavage (PSI). The aim of this study is to discuss the surgical treatment of MI, based on our experience.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Of the 41 MI patients treated at our institution between 1984 and 2007, 18 had simple MI and 23 had complex MI. These groups were analyzed according to treatment modality, concentrating on length of hospital stay, complications [peritonitis, septicemia, adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO), and malabsorption/diarrhea], need for additional surgical procedures, mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 18 patients with simple MI, 7 (39%) were successfully treated with diluted Gastrografin® enema. The remaining 11 patients were treated surgically: two underwent RPA, of whom one died; five had RES, of whom one developed ASBO; four underwent PSI, of whom two developed peritonitis. In the complex MI group, 14 patients underwent RPA, with peritonitis occurring in three (one died); nine underwent RES, of whom two developed ASBO.

CONCLUSION

In patients with simple MI, conservative treatment with diluted Gastrografin® enema is an effective initial treatment in our hands. In case of failure, RES is advisable. Patients with complex MI are candidates for RES. RPA and PSI seem to have higher complication rates.

Laparatomy due to gastrointestinal complications after open heart surgery

AIM

Abdominal complications following open heart surgery remain rare but fatal events with mortality rates of 14.5% up to 100%. Manifestations and managements of these complications are varying. Approximately, 25% of patients with gastrointestinal complications require surgical management with obviously higher mortality risks. The aim of this study was to determine the perioperative prognostic factors of gastrointestinal complications with surgical consequences after cardiac surgery.

METHODS

The study enrolled 15.737 patients who underwent open heart surgery between January 2002 and September 2007. Sixteen (0.1%) persons required laparatomy due to postoperative gastrointestinal complications. Additionally, the preoperative, operative, and postoperative risk factors for this condition were studied.

RESULTS

Among the patients enrolled, 15.737 patients underwent open heart surgery while 16 (0.1%) required laparatomy procedures due to gastrointestinal complications. They were comprised of 11 (68.8%) men and 5 (31.3%) women at a mean age of 62.88±12.56 years. There was a history of hypertension in 9 (56.3%) patients, hypercholesterolemia in 11 (68.8%), renal failure in 4 (25%), previous CABG in 2 (12.5%) and PTCA in 2 (12.5%). Morbidity and mortality were significantly higher in this group of patients with a mortality rate of 68.8% (68.8% versus 1.6%).

CONCLUSION

Our multivariate logistic regression model identified the following parameters to be the prognostic factors for gastrointestinal complications with surgical consequences: a history of previous CABG, previous PTCA, preoperative renal failure, preoperative anticoagulant agent use, valve surgery, combined valve and CABG surgery, and intra-aortic balloon pump requirement with OR of 51.95, 4.623, 26.436, 0.140, 5.43, 11.469 and 3.76, respectively.

Extensive chaos in the Lorenz-96 model

We explore the high-dimensional chaotic dynamics of the Lorenz-96 model by computing the variation of the fractal dimension with system parameters. The Lorenz-96 model is a continuous in time and discrete in space model first proposed by Lorenz to study fundamental issues regarding the forecasting of spatially extended chaotic systems such as the atmosphere. First, we explore the spatiotemporal chaos limit by increasing the system size while holding the magnitude of the external forcing constant. Second, we explore the strong driving limit by increasing the external forcing while holding the system size fixed. As the system size is increased for small values of the forcing we find dynamical states that alternate between periodic and chaotic dynamics. The windows of chaos are extensive, on average, with relative deviations from extensivity on the order of 20%. For intermediate values of the forcing we find chaotic dynamics for all system sizes past a critical value. The fractal dimension exhibits a maximum deviation from extensivity on the order of 5% for small changes in system size and the deviation from extensivity decreases nonmonotonically with increasing system size. The length scale describing the deviations from extensivity is consistent with the natural chaotic length scale in support of the suggestion that deviations from extensivity are due to the addition of chaotic degrees of freedom as the system size is increased. We find that each wavelength of the deviation from extensive chaos contains on the order of two chaotic degrees of freedom. As the forcing is increased, at constant system size, the dimension density grows monotonically and saturates at a value less than unity. We use this to quantify the decreasing size of chaotic degrees of freedom with increased forcing which we compare with spatial features of the patterns.

Effects of supplementation with digestible undegradable protein in late pregnancy on ewe colostrums production and lamb output to weaning

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation with digestible undegradable protein (DUP) in diet during late pregnancy on colostrum production, lamb survival and growth. For 3 weeks prior to lambing, 41 Afshari ewes were assigned at random to three dietary treatments, namely a control (CDUP), moderate (MDUP) and high (HDUP) DUP group. The ewes (n = 14) in CDUP group were fed a protein maintenance level for pregnant ewes [83 g metabolizable protein (MP)/kg dry matter (DM)], while ewes in the MDUP (n = 13) and HDUP (n = 14) groups were fed diets provided 14% (94.7 g MP/kg DM) and 24% (104.3 g MP/kg DM) MP in excess of these requirements respectively, which this increment was coming from DUP (DUP/MP ratio 43.8; 51.0% and 57.6% respectively). All diets were isoenergetic (12 MJ ME/kg DM). All ewes received the same lactation diet after lambing. Ewes in HDUP tend to produce more colostrums (p < 0.1) and had higher protein, fat, and solids non-fat content (p < 0.05) in colostrums during the first 24 h after lambing. MDUP group had higher colostrum yield compared to CDUP (p < 0.1). The changes in body weight and body condition score of ewes were similar for all diets but placenta weight was higher in MDUP group (p < 0.05) than for HDUP and CDUP ewes. Lamb body weight at weaning was higher for males compared to females (p < 0.05), but was not different between treatments. HDUP ewes had higher blood glucose concentration in the pre-lambing period than other treatments (p < 0.05). In this period, increasing the level of DUP in diet increased the content of blood urea nitrogen (p < 0.05). It was concluded that increasing the DUP content of diet for 3 weeks prior to lambing above the standard requirements resulted in an increase in colostrums production but had no effect on lamb outcome to weaning.

Mixed infections of Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa EL Tor with Shigella dysenteriae

Mixed infections caused by enteric pathogens such as bacteria, virus, protozoa and helminthes were reported in different literatures. This report also describes the co-infections caused by Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa EL Tor with Shigella dysenteriae in a patient. A 36-year-old man was admitted in Fatemeh Zahra Hospital of Bushehr Iran with fever, vomiting and dysentery. His stool sample was cultured, for identification purposes TCBS, XLD and other media were used. V. cholerae and S. dysenteriae were identified. Both species were resistant to ampicillin and sensitive to nalidixic acid and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazol. Shigella was resistant to tetracycline. The results of the study showed that places where diarrheal diseases especially cholera are endemic, it is better to examine for those patients with dysentery for the presence of the V. cholerae O1. That will prevent the spread of pathogenic organism in the community.