Culture Of Organism Research Articles

Meningitis Multiplex-PCR: 3-Year Study of Cost and Correlation With Traditional Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis

Abstract Introduction/Objective Physicians often rely on Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) cytology, chemistry, and culture. While cheap, these methods lack high sensitivity/specificity or have long turnaround times. PCR evaluation of CSF has become more common and is often touted as a way to save money, decrease turnaround times and quickly target antibiotics. PCR systems may cost $200,000, with $150 in disposables per test. As a new, fast, test it may be over ordered. Methods/Case Report Case-control study using retrospective chart review. All adults, aged 18 and over, who had undergone both PCR based testing and cytochemical testing between 3/1/2017 and 9/7/2019 were included. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) From 3/1/2017-9/7/2019, there were 381 available PCR results for adult GWUH patients. Demographic data showed that the patient sample was majority black (195/320, 60.94%), had an average age of 49.8 ± 17.2, and was majority female (172/320, 53.75%). The PCR results were 85.31% negative (273/320) and the CSF cultures were 94.38% negative. The most common PCR positive organism was Varicella zoster virus (11/47 positive results) and the most common CSF culture organism was Streptococcus pneumoniae (5/18 positive cultures). Conclusion In a population with clinical symptoms and at least 1 abnormality on CSF analysis, 6.5 tests were run for every positive PCR test. No single variable was found to significantly predict PCR results. Within a high initial cost, a disposable cost of $150 per test and detection rate of 14.7%, the cost to detect a single positive test by PCR could approach $4,500. PCR should be used judiciously following history, physical exam and standard CSF workup, rather than as a screening tool.

Soil microbial diversity in conventional and organic agricultural farming systems

Microbes are the most varied category of soil creatures, although little is recognized about them. Until recently, research focused on culturable organisms; however, a lot of information is now being acquired from both culturable and, as of yet, unculturable organisms. The functions of the soil microbial community have an impact on various soil processes and, as a result, productivity. There would be no other life forms without microorganisms and their roles. A better understanding of soil microbial ecology can only improve land management decisions. Low-input agriculture systems seek to reduce the usage of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides in order to promote long-term productivity and ecosystem health. Despite the soil microbiome's critical role in agricultural output, we still have a limited grasp of microbial diversity's complex response to organic and conventional farming. The application of high input conventional farming practices, such as synthetic insecticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, genetically modified microorganisms, growth regulators, and other chemicals, has adversely impacted not only soil fertility but also poses serious risks to human health and the environment. Nowadays, organic farming is a viable substitute for traditional farming methods. Using sustainable agricultural practices, organic farming attempts to preserve and improve the health of the land, biodiversity, and natural resources. It plays a vital part in lowering soil erosion, nutrient leaching (especially nitrate and phosphorus), improving soil's ability to retain water, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. One of the soil functions that agricultural land offers to civilization is the supply of habitat variety.

Impact of Organism Reporting from Endotracheal Aspirate Cultures on Antimicrobial Prescribing Practices in Mechanically Ventilated Pediatric Patients.

Endotracheal aspirate cultures (EACs) help diagnose lower respiratory tract infections in mechanically ventilated patients but are limited by contamination with normal microbiota and variation in laboratory reporting. Increased use of EACs is associated with increased antimicrobial prescribing, but the impact of microbiology reporting on prescribing practices is unclear. This study was a retrospective analysis of EACs from mechanically ventilated patients at Children's Hospital Colorado (CHCO) admitted between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2019. Chart review was performed to collect all culture and Gram stain components, as well as antibiotic use directed to organisms in culture. Reporting concordance was determined for each organism using American Society for Microbiology guidelines. Days of therapy were calculated for overreported and guideline-concordant organisms. A multivariable model was used to assess the relationship between organism reporting and total days of therapy. Overall, 448 patients with 827 EACs were included in this study. Among patients with tracheostomy, 25 (8%) organisms reported from EACs were overreported and contributed 48 days of excess therapy, while 227 (29%) organisms from the EACs of endotracheally intubated patients were overreported, contributing 472 excess days of therapy. After adjustment, organism overreporting was associated with a >2-fold-higher rate of antimicrobial therapy than guideline-concordant reporting (incident rate ratio [IRR], 2.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23, 6.53; P < 0.05). Overreported organisms from respiratory cultures contribute to excess antimicrobial therapy exposure in mechanically ventilated patients. Microbiology laboratories have an opportunity to mitigate antimicrobial overuse through standardized reporting practices.

Importance of Lumbar Puncture in Late Onset Sepsis

Neonatal sepsis is the significant reason of neonatal mortality and morbidity and mostly results in extended hospitalization of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. The sepsis was confirmed by a positive blood culture and a condition is considered clinical sepsis when the blood culture is negative. It is practically not possible to clinically differentiate sepsis from neonatal meningitis. However, a positive CSF for pathogenic bacteria indicates meningitis. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of late-onset sepsis in neonates with meningitis and to determine whether CSF analysis and lumbar puncture is mandatory in all cases of late-onset sepsis. Methods: This study was conducted in the Paediatrics department of CMH Abbottabad, and Sharif Medical City Hospital Lahore, and Pathology department of Women Medical and Dental College, Abbottabad for the duration from January 2022 to June 2022 among neonates with late neonatal sepsis. All neonates underwent clinical examination, history, routine tests (blood culture, C-reactive protein, complete blood count) and analysis and culture of cerebrospinal fluid for clinical evaluation of sepsis. Results: All 80 neonates tested positive for clinical sepsis: hematological sepsis was seen in 59 patients and 21 were CSF culture positive for sepsis; 8 (38.9%) of the 21 have positive CSF culture and 13 cases have negative blood culture. The most common clinical symptom was poor suction 70(87.5%), followed by weak moor 61(76.3%), and lethargy 46(57.5%). The Klebsiella spp was common organism seen in 15 children in the blood culture and the most communal organism in the cerebrospinal fluid culture was Staphylococcus aureus in 6 cases. Conclusions: The incidence of neonatal meningitis is high in new-borns with late-onset sepsis. Meningitis in neonates often transpires in the absence of bacteraemia. Therefore, the CSF examination and lumbar puncture are compulsory in all children with late onset sepsis. Keywords: Lumbar puncture, Meningitis, Neonatal sepsis

Symptom duration is associated with failure of periprosthetic joint infection treated with debridement, antibiotics and implant retention.

BackgroundDebridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) is an alternative treatment strategy for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). However, no consensus exists regarding which patient population(s) may be most suitable for DAIR. This study aims to investigate the overall infection control rate and explore the prognostic factors associated with acute, hematogenous, and chronic PJIs treated with DAIR.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the included patients who were diagnosed with PJI and underwent DAIR at two institutions from 2009 to 2018 (n = 104). We collected the clinical data, including demographics, preoperative laboratory tests, Charlson Comorbidity Index, surgical information, and culture organism results. Treatment success was defined according to the criteria reported by Diaz-Ledezma. All patients were followed for at least one year unless failure preceded that time point. A multivariable analysis was utilized to identify prognostic factors associated with treatment, and a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to depict the infection control rate.ResultsThe overall treatment success rate in the current cohort of patients was 67.3% at a median 38.6 (interquartile range: 23.5, 90.7) months follow-up. Patients with a duration of infectious symptoms of more than ten days were more likely to fail (P = 0.035, hazard ratio 8.492, 95% confidence interval 1.159–62.212). There was no difference among acute, hematogenous, and chronic infections in terms of failure rate (P = 0.161).ConclusionsDAIR is a reasonable treatment option for PJI, and its use in the setting of chronic infection does not appear to be a contraindication. Performing DAIR within ten days of the presentation of symptoms had a higher rate of treatment success.

A STUDY ON ANTIBIOTIC REGIMENS BASED ON CULTURE SENSITIVITY PATTERNS IN URINARY TRACT INFECTION

Objective: The study aimed to prospectively study the antibiotic regimen used in the urinary tract infection (UTI) post culture sensitivity test and the efficiency of antibiotics. Methods: A total of 113 subjects were enrolled of age above 18 years. The patients with complaints of burning micturition, pyuria, and dysuria were recruited for the study. The suspected patient’s midstream urine samples were collected and analyzed using microbial methods and underwent a culture sensitivity test. Based on the culture report of each patient antibiotic susceptibility pattern was checked. Additionally, various other kidney and blood parameters were noted. Results: We observed that in geriatric patients’ values of Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), pus cells and clarity of urine were increased due to reduced immune response and co-morbidity. Most of the isolated uro-pathogens like Escherichia coli (47.8%), Klebsiella pneumonia (21.2%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.2%) showed sensitivity to the carbapenem class of drug-like meropenem, faropenem and resistance towards co-trimoxazole and fluoroquinolone class of antibiotic. A statistically significant difference was observed between the culture organisms and the antibiotics prescribed. Conclusions: The study provided evidence that it is necessary to conduct culture and antibiotic susceptibility tests to start an antibiotic regimen in patients with urinary tract infections. Improper choice of antibiotics may lead to resistance to uro-pathogens, which may even lead to economic burden and decrease the quality of life.

Life and scientific and methodological heritage of N.P. Antsiferov

The article is devoted to the study of the personality, life, activities and basic principles of the excursion method of the outstanding scientist Nikolai Pavlovich Antsiferov. N.P. Antsiferov was the founder of a comprehensive method for studying the urban environment as an integral historical and cultural organism, the author of the concept of the “soul of the locality”. His developments in urban studies, recommendations for the construction and conduct of excursions in our time are the most powerful methodological base in this field of activity. The purpose of the work is to get acquainted with the biography of N.P. Antsiferov, to identify the conditions for the formation of his personality, to study the main ideas and principles of the Antsiferov excursion method.

The Importance of Collecting and Archiving Data on Domestic and Cultivated Organisms

At least 29% of the world’s terrestrial ecosystems have been significantly modified by human activity (Ellis 2011). Total livestock biomass is 15 times greater than that of wild mammals (Bar-On et al. 2018). Crops such as maize, soybean, rice, and wheat cover 23% of available agricultural land (Ritchie and Roser 2013). Even where land is not farmed, it is often converted to highly modified habitats such as urban ecosystems. Within the matrix of anthropogenic ecosystems spread around the world are many wild species (i.e., free-living, non-domesticated or feral). Some native species persist from the original ecosystems, while others colonize anthropogenic ecosystems including alien invasive species. Thus, wild flora and fauna in many areas are part of ecosystems that are dominated by, and often characterised by, the domestic and cultivated organisms that exist in them. Examples include large herbivores raised for milk and meat production, and omnivorous and carnivorous species such as both domestic and feral dogs and cats. Moreover, crops are typically grown in monoculture plots including tree plots in commercial forestry, and an enormous array of cultivated plants are grown in gardens, parks, and along streets in urban areas. Tellingly, in many ecosystems the domestic bee is the primary pollinator and domestic cats are the main predator. Domestic and cultivated organisms are not isolated from wild organisms and indeed they interact in many ways, including predation, parasitism, and herbivory, competition for biotic and abiotic resources, and pathogen transmission. If we are to understand modern ecosystems, clearly we cannot ignore the domesticated and cultivated components of ecosystems. So where are the observational data on these species? iNaturalist reluctantly tolerates them but does not publish them to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), eBird actively discourages recording them, and GBIF doesn’t encourage their submission either. Some information can be gleaned from land cover maps and remote sensing, but without knowing the specific species present in the land use category it is hard to build a holistic picture of an ecosystem. Data on domesticated and cultivated organisms have many uses, including horizon scanning and risk assessment for invasive species, understanding the impacts of invasive species, predicting the spread of disease, the spillover of disease to and from wild and domestic organisms, and many others (Groom et al. 2021). Evidently there are important components of ecosystems largely missing from our public databases. As data on biodiversity becomes more intergrated, such as implementing Digital Extended Specimens (Webster et al. 2021), it will become increasingly important to access data from all aspects of an ecosystem, included those that are domestic and cultivated. In this talk we will expand on why we should be mobilising such data. They can be published without ruining the integrity of data on wild organisms, so why don’t we embrace and use these fundamentally important, but much ignored, data?

Pattern and Sensitivity of Bacterial Colonization on the Tip of Non-Tunneled Temporary Hemodialysis Catheters: Results of a Tertiary Hospital in Somalia.

IntroductionBacterial colonization on the tip of non-tunneled temporary hemodialysis catheters (NTHCs) and associated catheter-related infections (CRI) is a common complication in hemodialysis (HD) patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the pattern of bacterial colonization formed on the tip of non-tunneled temporary hemodialysis catheters and their antibiotic sensitivity.MethodsThis retrospective analysis was performed in the HD unit of an Education and Research Hospital that follows up a universe of approximately 300 patients, primarily from Mogadishu, Somalia. From September 2020 to September 2021, a total of 137 temporary HD catheters were removed and their tips were sent for culture after there was a suspicion of CRI and other sources of infection were excluded. HD Catheter tips were cultured semi-quantitatively, and the antibiogram of the positive cultures was studied.ResultsGram-positive cocci were found to be the most predominant bacterial organisms in positive cultures with 27 (31.0%) for Staphylococcus aureus, 9 (10.3%) for Staphylococcus haemolyticus and 5 (5.7%) for Staphylococcus epidermidis. We found Enterococci to be 5.7% of the isolated microorganisms. Gram-negative pathogens isolated included Escherichia coli 13 (14.9%) as the most common, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 10 (11.5%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (4.6%). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was found to be 9.4%. Gram-positive isolates showed high sensitivity (100%) to Linezolid, Daptomycin, Vancomycin, and Tigecycline, but a low sensitivity rate to Oxacillin (41.2%). Gram-negative isolates had the highest sensitivity to Tigecycline (100%), Imipenem (88.9%), and Amikacin (87%) but low sensitivity to Ampicillin (4.8%), Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) (23.1%), and Ceftazidime (7.1%).ConclusionWe conclude that each institution should have its own antibiogram in the management of HD CRIs. According to our findings in this study, we recommend intravenous Vancomycin and Imipenem as empirical therapy in patients with suspected HD CRIs.

Unpacking The Concept Of Nationalism Within Russian Eurasianism

Eurasianism was first developed in the first half of the 20th century among Russian emigrants. It advocated a typology of human civilizations based on cultural uniqueness and claimed the equal importance of all cultures. The issue of nationalism was connected with the understanding of culture in the writings of the Eurasianists. They believed that all the peoples of the former Russian Empire should live together in the same State for ecological and cultural reasons, thus forming a common civilization. This is how the territory of the state was formed (whether it was called the Russian Empire, the USSR or Eurasia), which under any conditions had to maintain its integrity. In the meantime, Eurasianism alternatively saw society as having a “personality” and required special descriptive terms such as “folk personality”, “symphonic personality,” “aggregate personality”, “cultural organism” etc. Thus, the purpose of the article is to analyze the understanding of the concept of nationalism in the works of Russian Eurasianists, based on the definition given by the theorist Anthony Smith as it is fully compatible to demonstrate changes in the understanding of nationalism in their works and to answer the question: how nationalism was defined precisely in Eurasianism? The paper argues that nationalism, as explained in Russian Eurasianism, which encompasses ethnic and civil aspects of the Smith definition and subsequently evolved into the idea of a common civilization, has the potential for being used in multi-ethnic and multicultural society as a unifying instrument.

Surrogate Tourists on Instagram: An(other) Kind of Mimetic Gaze

From influencers to established travel brands to casual consumers, there are a number of existing organisms in the online ecosystem of Instagram simultaneously producing and consuming content. At first glance, the nature of these relationships seems simple—sharing and engaging via a visual medium—but upon prolonged review, deeper questions about the interwoven complexity existing between these organisms and their content emerge. The authors illuminate several discernible patterns through a deep theoretical framing of the gaze, mimetic reproduction, and ownership followed by a conceptual modeling through a review of everyday Instagramic practices. What becomes apparent are a number of stages of development in this process. Firstly, the practice of photographic mimicry becomes a form of consumption in which the consumer "consumes places" vicariously across space and time, making image reproduction an embodied practice. Secondly, the Instagram feed of an individual consumer (or influencer) becomes a sort of living autobiography, curating and aggrandizing the glossiest images that form a projected extension of self that is not grounded necessarily in authenticity, but in reproduction. Finally, the proliferation of communication between consumer and consumer reproduces a surrogate type that creates a constantly evolving circular content loop where the flow of influence and information becomes muddled and originality becomes less distinguishable. This article critically explores how Instagram has collapsed traditional influence and consumer relationships, particularly in how tourist experience and imagery are shared, resulting in a complex online community that resembles a cultural colonial organism fed by communication feedback loops. The result of this article is the positioning of a surrogate tourist embodied within a collection of individual entities performing specialized tasks dependent on other individuals in the community in which the function and nature of the individual recedes in importance to the relationship existing between organisms.

Temporal Dynamics in Energy Fluxes and Trophic Structure of a Portunus trituberculatus Polyculture Ecosystem During Different Culture Periods

Swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) are an important aquaculture species in eastern coastal areas of China. To improve the understanding of P. trituberculatus culture ecosystem functioning, the dynamics of energy flow and trophic structure of a P. trituberculatus polyculture system (co-culture with white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and short-necked clam Ruditapes philippinarum) were investigated in this study. Three Ecopath models representing the early, middle, and late culture periods of a P. trituberculatus polyculture ecosystem, respectively, were constructed to compare ecosystem traits at different culture periods. The results demonstrated that detritus was the main energy source in this polyculture ecosystem, and most of the total system throughput occurred at trophic levels I and II. Artificial food input and consumption by the culture organisms increased from early to middle and late periods, which produced marked impacts on biomass structure and primary production. R. philippinarum was considered to have a dominant influence on phytoplankton community dynamics which changed from nano- to pico-phytoplankton predominance, from the middle to the late period. Considering the low utilization efficiency of pico-phytoplankton production, large amounts of detritus accumulated in the sediment in the late period, which may constitute a potential risk for the ecosystem. Ecological network analyses indicated that the total energy flow and level of system organization increased from the early to the middle and late periods, whereas food web complexity and system resilience decreased from early to middle and late periods, which may indicate a trend of decreasing ecosystem stability. The system may be further optimized by increased stocking density of R. philippinarum and by introducing macro-algae at a suitable biomass to increase ecosystem stability, energy utilization efficiency, and aquaculture production.

Investigation of Virulence Genes of the Predominant Bacteria Associated with Renal Stones and their Correlation with Postoperative Septic Complications.

PurposeNephrolithiasis is a worldwide disease, and 4.7% of the patients may develop postoperative sepsis. Characterization of virulence genes of bacteria associated with renal stones is still lacking in the literature. The study aimed to investigate the virulence genes of the predominant stone bacterial isolate and their association with postoperative septic complications in patients treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).MethodsStone and midstream urine samples were collected from 200 nephrolithiasis patients who underwent PCNL. Microbiological examination and virulence profile were studied for the common bacteria isolated from the stones.ResultsMicrobiological analysis revealed that Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant organism in stone samples (42.8%), while Escherichia coli (56.6%) was the dominant pathogen in midstream urine. Eight patients (4%) developed septic complications; stone culture was positive for S. aureus in seven and E. coli in one patient, while all but one had negative midstream urine. The patient with positive midstream urine culture had also S. aureus infection. Detection of virulence genes in S. aureus isolated from stones showed a high positivity of the hemolysine gene hla (93.3%) and adhesion gene fnbA (73.3%), whereas enterotoxin genes (sec and sea) were negative in all S. aureus stone cultures. Moreover, the adhesion genes (fnbB and can), hemolysine gene (hlb), panton-valentine leukocidin (pvl) gene and the enterotoxin gene (seb) were significantly higher in septic patients compared to the non-septic ones (p< 0.05). Interestingly, there was a significant relation between the existence of virulence genes and the resistance of antibiotics (p < 0.05).ConclusionThere has been a notable shift toward gram-positive organisms (S. aureus) in the stone culture. Moreover, S. aureus virulence genes were significantly attributed to the resistance of some antibiotics and postoperative septic complications, suggesting that the stone culture could be more informative than urine culture, especially in predicting the risk of postoperative sepsis.

A ROS-dependent mechanism promotes CDK2 phosphorylation to drive progression through S phase.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the right concentration promote cell proliferation in cell culture, stem cells, and model organisms. However, the mystery of how ROS signaling is coordinated with cell cycle progression and integrated into the cell cycle control machinery on the molecular level remains unsolved. Here, we report increasing levels of mitochondrial ROS during the cell cycle in human cell lines that target cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2). Chemical and metabolic interferences with ROS production decrease T-loop phosphorylation on CDK2 and so impede its full activation and thus its efficient DNA replication. ROS regulate CDK2 activity through the oxidation of a conserved cysteine residue near the T-loop, which prevents the binding of the T-loop phosphatase KAP. Together, our data reveal how mitochondrial metabolism is coupled with DNA replication and cell cycle progression via ROS, thereby demonstrating how KAP activity toward CDKs can be cell cycle regulated.

A real-world study of infectious complications of venetoclax combined with decitabine or azacitidine in adult acute myeloid leukemia.

The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence, sites and main pathogens, and risk factors for infectious complications occurring in patients with adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) during the first course of venetoclax combined with decitabine or azacitidine. A retrospective cohort analysis was performed of 81 patients with AML older than 14years who received the first cycle of venetoclax combined with a hypomethylating agent (HMA) between March 2018 and March 2021 at our institution. Infectious complications, if any, were documented. Among a total of 81 cases of AML, 59 (72.8%) patients occurred infections, including fever without an identifiable source (28.8%), clinically documented infections (40.7%), and microbiologically documented infections (30.5%). The most commonly isolated organism in culture was Candida albicans, followed by Klebsiella pneumonia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The 4-week and 8-week mortality rates were 3.7% and 7.4%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, a high proportion of blasts in bone marrow, decreased hemoglobin level, and fever with or without a documented infection at baseline were significant independent risk factors for infectious complications. Compared with conventional chemotherapy, the incidence of infectious complications of venetoclax combined with decitabine or azacitidine significantly decreased. Pretreatment high leukemia burden and fever were independent risk factors for infections.

Comparative Analysis of Bacteriological Profile of Urine and Stent Culture among Patients with Ureteric Double J Stent

&#x0D; Background: A common indication in urological pathologies and especially in instances of ureteric calculi/obstruction, is the placement of ureteric catheter such as the double J stent. 76% of patient with double J stent may encounter adverse outcome owing to bacterial colonization of their stents. Though antibiotic administration may help counter the situation, the implicated microorganisms are hard to determine. One may suggest that a urine culture may offer insight into the matter, however, little is known how bacteriology of the urine and stent culture resemble and thus a comparative analysis is much needed.&#x0D; Objective: To compare the bacteriologic profile of urine and stent culture to determine the incidence and etiology of bacteriuria among patients with ureteric double J stent.&#x0D; Methodology: This cross-sectional analysis, was conducted upon a sample of 219 patients (of either gender, aged 10 to 70 years) presenting for ureteric double J stent removal from June 2021 to February 2022 at Ziauddin University Hospital, Karachi. After taking written informed consent, data was recorded onto a pre-structured questionnaire containing inquiries pertaining to basic biodata, sociodemographic details, bacteriological profiles of the urine and ureteric double J stent culture. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS v. 21.0.&#x0D; Results: Among the sample 51.6% of the patients were males, while the remaining 48.4% were females. The mean age of the sample stood at 38 (SD ± 9.1). The total incidence of bacterial colonization was seen in 61.64% and 19.6% of stent and urine cultures respectively, with Enterococci being the commonest (54.8%) organism in stent culture and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa being the commonest (32.6%) in urine culture.&#x0D; Conclusion: After careful consideration, it can be concluded that the incidence of bacterial colonization among both cultures, in addition to the detailed bacteriological profiles of urine and ureteric double J stent culture differ considerably and urine culture may not serve as an ideal indicator of stent colonization and antibiotic prophylaxis should continue to be practiced among symptomatic patients despite a sterile urine culture.&#x0D; &#x0D;

Multi-drug Resistant Organisms in Stool Culture and Its Relationship with Morbidity and Mortality in Pediatric Patients with Acute Leukemia

Multi-drug Resistant Organisms in Stool Culture and Its Relationship with Morbidity and Mortality in Pediatric Patients with Acute Leukemia

Використання глюкози (С6P12O6) для стимуляції процесів гетероторофної нітрифікації у біофільтрах установок замкнутого водозабезпечення

Purpose.Investigate the possibility of using glucose (С6Н12О6) to stimulate heterotrophic nitrification processes in biofilters and reduce the content of ammonium nitrogen in the water of recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Methodology. The object of research was the processes of water purification in biofilters of RAS from nitrogen compounds harmful to fish. The subject of research is the rate of heterotrophic nitrification using glucose as a source of organic carbon to accelerate nitrification processes under conditions of critical ammonium nitrogen content in process water. The research was conducted in four experimental RAS of the Fisheries Laboratory of the Department of Aquaculture of NULES of Ukraine. During the experiment, the concentrations of ammonia-ammonium in the water of aqua systems were artificially increased to 2 mg/dm3 by adding ammonium chloride solution, and 10% glucose solution was added in the proportions of 1 cm3, 5 cm3 and 10 cm3 per 100 dm3 of process water. The content of nitrogen compounds in water was determined using the Ptero Test system (NО2-, NH3/NH4+). Evaluation of the effectiveness of biofiltration in different variants of the experiment was performed on the time of excretion of NH3/NH4+ and the physical condition of sterlet fry (Acipenser ruthenus), which acted as a test object. Findings.The effectiveness of using glucose solution as a biologically active substance to stimulate the excretion of ammonia-ammonium by bacteria of the RAS biofilter has been proved. The rate of decrease of the concentration of NH3-/NH4+ to an acceptable level (below 0.1 mg/dm3) in the experimental systems with 5 and 10 сm3 of glucose per 100 dm3 of water was 5 hours versus 7 hours in the control version and in the experimental system with 1 сm3 glucose per 100 dm3 of water. Originality. A study on the use of glucose to accelerate nitrification processes in biofilters of RAS under conditions of critical ammonia-ammonium content in water was conducted for the first time. PracticalValue. The proposed method of stimulating heterotrophic nitrification solves a number of problems associated with a sharp increase of the content of NH3/NH4+ in process water. The use of this method will allow to reduce the risk of death of cultivated aquatic organisms due to a sharp increase of the concentration of ammonia-ammonium in water during the period of establishment of biological balance or in emergency situations. At the same time, it should be taken into account that heterotrophic bacteria grow much faster than nitrifying ones and may outperform the latter in the competition for substrate area in biofilters, so the use of this method is advisable for a short time, if necessary to release process water from excess ammonia-ammonium. Keywords: RAS, biofilter, glucose, heterotrophicnitrification, sterlet.

Assessment of the efficacy of clofazimine alone and in combination with primary agents against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro

The chemotherapeutic regimens of patients with drug-susceptible (DS)- tuberculosis (TB) comprise four primary anti-TB drugs: rifampicin (RMP), isoniazid (INH), ethambutol (EMB) and pyrazinamide (PZA), administered for six-to-nine months. These drug regimens target the various microbial populations that include actively replicating (AR), slow-replicating (SR) and non-replicating (NR) organisms. Clofazimine (CFZ) has showed benefit in shortening DS-TB treatment in vivo from six to four months when used in combination with this regimen in murine models of experimental infection. However, its antimicrobial efficacy when used in combination with the primary drugs against the various microbial populations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has not been demonstrated. In the current in vitro study, the inhibitory and bactericidal activities of CFZ in combination with the primary anti-TB drugs, RMP, INH and EMB against the AR and SR organisms in planktonic and biofilm-forming cultures, respectively, were evaluated by fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) and fractional bactericidal concentration index (FBCI) determinations, using the Loewe Additivity Model. In planktonic cultures, CFZ demonstrated synergistic growth inhibitory activity in combination with RMP and INH individually and collectively. With respect to bactericidal activity, CFZ exhibited synergistic activity only in a two-drug combination with RMP. However, in biofilm-forming cultures, all CFZ-containing anti-TB drug combinations exhibited synergistic inhibitory and bactericidal effects, particularly in combination with RIF and INH. Clofazimine exhibited synergistic effects in combination with primary anti-TB drugs against both planktonic and biofilm-forming cultures, showing potential benefit in augmenting treatment outcome when used during standard TB chemotherapy.

Unraveling Anaerobic Metabolisms in a Hypersaline Sediment.

The knowledge on the microbial diversity inhabiting hypersaline sediments is still limited. In particular, existing data about anaerobic hypersaline archaea and bacteria are scarce and refer to a limited number of genera. The approach to obtain existing information has been almost exclusively attempting to grow every organism in axenic culture on the selected electron acceptor with a variety of electron donors. Here, a different approach has been used to interrogate the microbial community of submerged hypersaline sediment of Salitral Negro, Argentina, aiming at enriching consortia performing anaerobic respiration of different electron acceptor compounds, in which ecological associations can maximize the possibilities of successful growth. Growth of consortia was demonstrated on all offered electron acceptors, including fumarate, nitrate, sulfate, thiosulfate, dimethyl sulfoxide, and a polarized electrode. Halorubrum and Haloarcula representatives are here shown for the first time growing on lactate, using fumarate or a polarized electrode as the electron acceptor; in addition, they are shown also growing in sulfate-reducing consortia. Halorubrum representatives are for the first time shown to be growing in nitrate-reducing consortia, probably thanks to reduction of N2O produced by other consortium members. Fumarate respiration is indeed shown for the first time supporting growth of Halanaeroarchaeum and Halorhabdus belonging to the archaea, as well as growth of Halanaerobium, Halanaerobaculum, Sporohalobacter, and Acetohalobium belonging to the bacteria. Finally, evidence is presented suggesting growth of nanohaloarchaea in anaerobic conditions.