Molecular characterization of Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from Iraqi hospital environment.

Healthcare-associated items are a common source of acquired infections, and hospital-acquired infections cause significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. Acinetobacter baumannii is the most prevalent infection-causing organism in the hospital environment. Hospital articles and objects are the main sources of infection with the ability to transmit some of the pathogenic microorganisms such as A. baumannii, which is considered a serious problem in therapeutic treatments. In the current study, we isolated A. baumannii from hospital sources and evaluated its antibiotic resistance, virulence factors and resistance gene determinants. The isolates were identified phenotypically as well as genotypically using PCR. In addition, their capability for biofilm formation and ten other virulence factors were measured. Of 112 samples, 21 showed growth of the target organism. Apart from A. baumannii, isolates of Candida albicans, Staphylococcus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were also grown. Antibiotic susceptibility test results considered all the A. baumannii to be multidrug-resistant isolates with the highest resistance being 100% to gentamycin, ciprofloxacin; the most effective antibiotics with 100% susceptibility was colistin and tigecycline. All A. baumannii isolates had MIC for ceftriaxone >32 mg/L. All A. baumannii isolates from the hospital environment showed multidrug resistance and had many virulence factors. They have long-term resistance to dry conditions and cause a serious public health issue.

Role of norepinephrine & angiotensin II in the neural control of renal sodium & water handling in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: A wealth of information concerning the essential role of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in the regulation of renal function and mean arterial blood pressure homeostasis has been established. However, many important parameters with which RSNA interacts are yet to be explicitly characterized. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the impact of acute renal denervation (ARD) on sodium and water excretory responses to intravenous (iv) infusions of either norepinephrine (NE) or angiotensin II (Ang II) in anaesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: Anaesthetized SHR were acutely denervated and a continuous iv infusion of NE (200 ng/min/ kg) or Ang II (50 ng/min/kg) was instigated for 1 h. Three 20-min urine clearances were subsequently collected to measure urine flow rate (UV) and absolute sodium excretion (U(Na)V). RESULTS: Higher UV and U(Na)V (P<0.05) were observed in denervated control SHR as compared to innervated counterparts. The administration of NE or Ang II to innervated SHR produced lower UV and U(Na)V (P<0.05 vs. innervated control SHR). Lower diuresis/natriuresis response to ARD was observed in NE-treated SHR compared to denervated control SHR (P<0.05). Salt and water excretions in denervated NE-treated SHR, however, were significantly higher (P<0.05) relative to the excretion levels in control denervated SHR. Conversely, there was a higher (all P<0.05) diuresis/natriuresis response to ARD when Ang II was administered to SHR compared to denervated control or innervated Ang II-treated SHR. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: NE retains its characteristic antidiuretic/antinatriuretic action following ARD in SHR. Typical action of Ang II on salt and water excretions necessitates the presence of an intact renal innervation. Ang II is likely to facilitate the release of NE from renal sympathetic nerve terminals through a presynaptic site of action. Moreover, there is a lack of an immediate enhancement in the renal sensitivity to the actions of NE and Ang II following ARD in a rat model of essential hypertension.

Cardiovascular activity of the n-butanol fraction of the methanol extract of Loranthus ferrugineus Roxb

We investigated the vascular responses and the blood pressure reducing effects of different fractions obtained from the methanol extract of Loranthus ferrugineus Roxb. (F. Loranthaceae). By means of solvent-solvent extraction, L. ferrugineus methanol extract (LFME) was successively fractionated with chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The ability of these LFME fractions to relax vascular smooth muscle against phenylephrine (PE)- and KCl-induced contractions in isolated rat aortic rings was determined. In another set of experiments, LFME fractions were tested for blood pressure lowering activity in anesthetized adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g, 14-18 weeks). The n-butanol fraction of LFME (NBF-LFME) produced a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of PE- and KCl-induced aortic ring contractions compared to other fractions. Moreover, NBF-LFME had a significantly higher relaxant effect against PE- than against high K+-induced contractions. In anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats, NBF-LFME significantly lowered blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner and with a relatively longer duration of action compared to the other fractions. HPLC, UV and IR spectra suggested the presence of terpenoid constituents in both LFME and NBF-LFME. Accordingly, we conclude that NBF-LFME is the most potent fraction producing a concentration-dependent relaxation in vascular smooth muscle in vitro and a dose-dependent blood pressure lowering activity in vivo. The cardiovascular effects of NBF-LFME are most likely attributable to its terpenoid content.

Cardiovascular activity of the n-butanol fraction of the methanol extract of Loranthus ferrugineus Roxb.

We investigated the vascular responses and the blood pressure reducing effects of different fractions obtained from the methanol extract of Loranthus ferrugineus Roxb. (F. Loranthaceae). By means of solvent-solvent extraction, L. ferrugineus methanol extract (LFME) was successively fractionated with chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol. The ability of these LFME fractions to relax vascular smooth muscle against phenylephrine (PE)- and KCl-induced contractions in isolated rat aortic rings was determined. In another set of experiments, LFME fractions were tested for blood pressure lowering activity in anesthetized adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g, 14-18 weeks). The n-butanol fraction of LFME (NBF-LFME) produced a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of PE- and KCl-induced aortic ring contractions compared to other fractions. Moreover, NBF-LFME had a significantly higher relaxant effect against PE- than against high K+-induced contractions. In anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats, NBF-LFME significantly lowered blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner and with a relatively longer duration of action compared to the other fractions. HPLC, UV and IR spectra suggested the presence of terpenoid constituents in both LFME and NBF-LFME. Accordingly, we conclude that NBF-LFME is the most potent fraction producing a concentration-dependent relaxation in vascular smooth muscle in vitro and a dose-dependent blood pressure lowering activity in vivo. The cardiovascular effects of NBF-LFME are most likely attributable to its terpenoid content.

Interaction between renin-angiotensin and sympathetic nervous systems in a rat model of pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy.

1 A raised cardiac workload activates neurohormones which will increase muscle mass and shift contractility to the right along the Frank-Starling curve. 2 This study examined the interaction between the SNS and RAS in contributing to vascular responsiveness following the development of cardiac hypertrophy due to aortic banding. 3 Sprague Dawley rats (180-200 g) were assigned to one of six groups; Normal, Sham-operated, Aortic Banded (AB), Aortic Banded treated with losartan (ABLOS), Aortic Banded treated with 6-hydroxydopamine (ABSYMP) and Aortic banded treated with both losartan and 6-hydroxydopamine (ABSYMPLOS). A constricting band was placed around the supra renal aorta on day zero with drug treatment from day 37 to day 44. Vasopressor responses to noradrenaline, phenylephrine, methoxamine and angiotensin II were measured on day 45. 4 The magnitudes of the MAP responses to all vasoactive agents, expressed as percentage changes, were similar in Normal and Sham groups, but reduced in the AB group. ABLOS group showed attenuated response to ANGII whereas all responses were enhanced in the ABSYM group. 5 A positive interaction between the two systems was observed with alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors identified as a major component of SNS and AT(1) receptors of RAS to induce vasopressor effects.

Evaluation of the anti-pyretic potential of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth standardized extract.

The anti-pyretic activity of a standardized methanol/water (50/50) extract of Orthosiphon stamineus Benth. (SEOS) was investigated for its effect on normal body temperature and yeast-induced pyrexia in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. The SEOS showed no effect on normal body temperature. Doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight of SEOS significantly reduced the yeast-induced elevation in body temperature. This effect persisted up to 4 h following the administration of the extract. The anti-pyretic effect of SEOS was comparable with that of paracetamol (acetaminophen in U.S) (150 mg/kg p.o.), a standard anti-pyretic agent. HPLC study revealed that rosmarinic acid, sinensetin, eupatorin and tetramethoxyflavone were present in SEOS in the amounts of 7.58%, 0.2%, 0.34% and 0.24% respectively. The LD(50) of the extract in rats was higher than 5000 mg/kg body weight. Therefore, the present study ascertained that SEOS possesses a significant anti-pyretic activity.

Effect of acute unilateral renal denervation on renal hemodynamics in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

1 This study was undertaken to characterize the renal responses to acute unilateral renal denervation in anaesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) by examining the effect of acute unilateral renal denervation on the renal hemodynamic responses to a set of vasoactive agents and renal nerve stimulation. 2 Twenty-four male SHR rats underwent acute unilateral renal denervation and the denervation was confirmed by significant drop (P < 0.05) in renal vasoconstrictor response to renal nerve stimulation along with marked diuresis and natriuresis following denervation. After 7 days treatment with losartan, the overnight fasted rats were anaesthetized (sodium pentobarbitone, 60 mg kg(-1) i.p.) and renal vasoconstrictor experiments were performed. The changes in the renal vasoconstrictor responses were determined in terms of reductions in renal blood flow caused by renal nerve stimulation or intrarenal administration of noradrenaline, phenylephrine, methoxamine and angiotensin II. 3 The data showed that there was significantly (all P < 0.05) increased renal vascular responsiveness to the vasoactive agents in denervated rats compared to those with intact renal nerves. In losartan-treated denervated SHR rats, there were significant (all P < 0.05) reductions in the renal vasoconstrictor responses to neural stimuli and vasoactive agents as compared with that of untreated denervated SHR rats. 4 The data obtained in denervated rats suggested an enhanced sensitivity of the alpha(1)-adrenoceptors to adrenergic agonists and possible increase of AT(1) receptors functionality in the renal vasculature of these rats. These data also suggested a possible interaction between sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin system in terms of a crosstalk relationship between renal AT(1) and alpha(1)-adrenoceptor subtypes.