Frequency of VanA, VanB and VanH variants amongst vancomycinresistant enterococci isolated from patients in central region of Iran

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the VRE frequency and the rate of each gene in isolated enterococci frompatients with intestinal infection in the central region of Iran

Background: Enterococci infections are a public health growing concern due to the glycopeptide antibiotics resistanceespecially vancomycin. Genes, vanA, B, and H contribute to the influence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci [VRE]

Patients and methods: This study was conducted from January to July 2014 in Shahrood university hospital.Enterococci isolation and its antibacterial susceptibility were performed by culturing in Aesculin Azide agar and Kirby-Bauer method, respectively. Vancomycin-resistant genes were screened through conventional PCR, and subsequentlysequenced

Results: Among 265 specimens, 100 isolates revealed enterococci, in which E. faecalis [91%] and E. faecium [9%]. Theisolated enterococci were resistant to vancomycin [6%] and chloramphenicol [21%], whereas their large proportions [94% to100%] were multi-drug resistant. All VRE isolates belonged to E. faecalis, conversely, the E. faecium were susceptible to thesame antibiotic. Both vanA and vanH genes were identified in all VRE isolates, although, no vanB gene was indicated.Homology analysis of sequenced amplicons verified the full length compatibility to the worldwide reported genes

Conclusion: The present study revealed VR E. faecalis in gastroenteritis patients and resistance factor for vanA andvanH genes are coordinated. Since enterococci isolates were all multidrug resistance, increase in VR E. faecalis vanA /vanH in this area could be expected

Stabilizing and dispersing methods of TiO[2] nanoparticles in biological studies

TiO[2] nanoparticles [NPs] might be considered as the most important photosensitizer due to high photocatalytic and sonocatalytic efficiency, low toxicity, excellent biocompatibility, low cost and high chemical stability. TiO[2]-NPs normally tend to aggregate in physiological medium and which results to decreased cell viability and inducing expression of stress-related genes. Thus dispersion and stability of TiO[2] NPs should be considered in biological application. This paper deals on various dispersing methods such as ultrasonication, electrostatic, steric electrosteric stabilization that suppress agglomeration and stabilizes the dispersed NPs in aqueous medium

Sonication breaks up agglomerated NPs in a solvent. The results showed that probe sonication performs better than bath sonication in dispersing TiO[2] agglomerates, but sonication couldn't prevent long term aggregation of nanoparticles and in order to form stable dispersions, it is not enough to break nanoparticles apart. Agglomerated NPs can be separated by overcoming the weaker attractive forces by electrostatic, steric or electrosteric interactions. Electrostatic stabilization takes place when charges accumulate at the surface of particles. At values of potential more than 30 mV or less than -30 mV no agglomeration occurs. Ionic strength and pH influence on electrostatic stabilization; when pH is far from the isoelectric point, agglomeration is suppressed. In a sterically stabilized dispersion large molecules such as polymers, surfactants and biomolecules, adsorbed on to the surface of particles suppress re-agglomeration. PEG is a hydrophilic polymer, non-toxic and non-immunogenic, and has favorable pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution. PEGylation of NPs not only prevents agglomeration, but also enhances their biocompatibility and increases the in vivo circulation time

[Sub-cloning of alpha subunit of anterior pituitary glycoprotein hormone into a mammalian expression vector]

Anterior pituitary glycoprotein hormones include thyroid stimulating hormone, lutinizing hormone, follicule stimulating hormone, and gonadotropine hormone. Each of them contains alpha and beta subunits. The alpha subunit gene is the same in all of these hormones and contains 4 exones and 3 intrones. The beta subunit is responsible for specific function of each hormone. The aim of this study was to clone alpha chain cDNA of glycoprotein hormones in a proper vector for eukaryotic system. To clone cDNA, alpha subunit of glycoprotein hormones was amplified by using one pair primers and T.vector as template and cloned in Not I and Bam HI sites of pcDNA3.1 plasmid. The recombinant plasmid transformed to E.coli Top10F? cell and colonies that contain plasmid were selected by Colony PCR. The accuracy of extracted plasmid of these clones was approved by enzyme digestion and sequencing. Enzyme analysis showed that pcDNA3.1-F351alpha had correct structure and sequencing confirmed by 100% homology of the gene with reported alpha gene in Gene Bank. Because of its proper structure, this plasmid is able to transform to Eukaryotic system and translation

Relationship between blood transfusion and increased risk of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

New-onset atrial fibrillation [AF] after cardiac surgery contributes to increased morbidity, hospital length of stay, and resource utilization. Although many aspects of AF after cardiac surgery have already been elucidated, the mechanism by which cardiac surgery predisposes patients to AF has hitherto remained unknown. Recent evidence supports the notion that blood transfusion enhances the inflammatory response, thereby increasing the incidence of post-operative AF. This retrospective study was conducted on 2095 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG] alone or accompanied by valve surgery between January 2005 and July 2007. Variables associated with the development of new-onset AF were identified using logistic regression. Intensive care unit blood transfusion increased the risk of AF [odds ratio per unit transfused, 1.16; 95% confidence limits, 1.14, 1.24; P<0.001]. Blood transfusion was performed in 487 patients and was associated with a significant increase in new-onset of AF [45.9% vs. 37.9%; P < 0.01]. Homologous blood transfusion can increase the incidence of new-onset AF after CABG. This factor should be considered in identifying patients who might benefit from prophylaxis in order to prevent this common post-operative complication and the adverse consequences thereof

Postoperative mortality and morbidity in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Elderly patients [>75 years] have constituted the fastest growing portion of the coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG] patient population over the last two decades. Of the goals that surgical care for the elderly pursues, cure may be an unfeasible one; nevertheless, palliation and comfort warrant sufficient importance. The present study sought to examine the postoperative course and events in elderly patients undergoing CABG with or without other procedures and to compare the results with those in younger patients. Demographic, mortality, morbidity, and resource utilization data were collected from the records of the patients undergoing CABG between January 2005 and July 2007 in Imam Khomeini Medical Center, Tehran, Iran. The mean time to extubation was 9.3 and 6.3 hours in the elderly and non-elderly patients, respectively [p < 0.01]. Blood transfusion was required in 87.8% of the elderly compared to 58.5% of the non-elderly subjects [p < 0.01]. The mean Intensive Care Unit stay was 2.1 days for the elderly and 1.4 days for the non-elderly patients [p < 0.001]. In-hospital mortality was 9% for the elderly patients vs. 2.8% for the younger group [p < 0.001]. The elderly patients undergoing CABG had a significantly higher morbidity rate, with an increased incidence of postoperative renal failure, neurological complications, and in-hospital mortality