The intrinsic stabilities and structures of alkali metal cationized guanine quadruplexes

The structures and stabilities of self-assembled guanine quadruplexes, M(9eG)8+ (M = Na, K, Rb, Cs; 9eG = 9-ethylguanine), have been studied in the gas phase by blackbody infrared radiative dissociation kinetics to determine the effect the metal cations have on the decomposition energies and reactions of the quadruplex.</p

Effect of Empagliflozin on Hepatotoxicity Induced by Cyclophosphamide in Male Rats

Background & aim: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an immunosuppressive medication which is primarily used to manage and treatt of neoplasms, including breast cancer, lymphoma and Leukemia. CP as well possesses many side effects, including hepatotoxicity which leads to mitochondrial oxidative stress, cell death and hepatic necrosis. Empagliflozin (EMPA) is a Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor used to treat diabetes and has antioxidant activity. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Empagliflozin on hepatotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide in male rats. Methods: The present experimental study was conducted at the School of Medicine, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences in 2023. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control group, CP group, EMPA+CP group and CP+EMPA group. All groups were treated for 11 days. Moreover, blood samples were obtained and the liver was removed. Plasma levels of ALT, AST and ALP were measured. Homogenized liver tissue was used to measure malondialdehyde (MDA), Nitric Oxide (NO). Liver histology was also performed. The results were analyzed by one- way ANOVA and Tukey's Post Hoc test. Results: The results indicated that cyclophosphamide triggered a significant increase in the plasma level of AST, ALT enzymes and the level of NO and MDA metabolites in the liver tissue (p<0.001) and increased inflammation, edema, congestion and tissue necrosis compared to the control group. The administration of Empagliflozin led to a decrease in plasma levels of AST and ALT enzymes and tissue levels of NO and MDA and decreased tissue changes compared to the cyclophosphamide group. Furthermore, Empagliflozin reduced histological changes both as prevention and as treatment. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, Empagliflozin can reduce the hepatotoxicity of cyclophosphamide probably with reduction of oxidative stress

Resistenz von bei Harnweginfektionen isolierten Enterobacteriaceae gegen Chinolone, Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoyxazol und Aminoglycoside in Azerbaijan, Iran

Aim: Antibiotic susceptibility patterns help to select appropriate empirical treatments of urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study aimed to investigate antibiotic resistance among Enterobacteriaceae isolated from UTIs in Azerbaijan, Iran.Methods: This study was carried out during 2016 in hospitals located in Tabriz, Urmia, and Khoy. Midstream urine specimens were cultured and identified by the standard methods. Susceptibility testing was carried out using the disk diffusion agar method for cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefoxitin, imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem, cefepime, ampicillin, cefazolin, cefuroxime, aztreonam, nitrofurantoin, and fosfomycin and the agar dilution method for MIC determination of aminoglycosides, quinolones, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim. Results: A total of 219 non-duplicated Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from UTIs. According to the agar dilution assay, the following resistance rates were determined: trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole) 69.8%, nalidixic acid 68.9%, ciprofloxacin 66.2%, levofloxacin 58.5%, tobramycin 47.9%, kanamycin 39.3%, gentamicin 27.8%, and amikacin 5.5%. High levels of resistance were observed to trimethoprim (78.5%), sulfamethoxazole (88.1%), ampicillin (86.3%), and cephazoline (79.4%). Conclusion: The most effective agents against Enterobacteriaceae were fosfomycin, carbapenems, and amikacin. Quinolones, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole are not appropriate for empirical therapy due to high levels of resistance. Amikacin is more effective among aminoglycosides and may be more effective, in complicated cases, when used in combination with fosfomycin and carbapenems.Zielsetzung: Antibiotika-Suszeptibilitätsmuster unterstützen die Auswahl von Antibiotika zur empirischen Behandlung von Harnweginfektionen (HWI). Daher sollte die Antibiotikaresistenz von bei Harnweginfektionen in Azerbaijan isolierten Enterobacteriaceae untersucht werden. Methode: Die Studie wurde in 2016 in Krankenhäusern in Tabriz, Urmia und Khoy durchgeführt. Mittelstrahlurin wurde mittels üblicher Technik kultiviert. Die Resistenztestung wurde für Cefotaxim, Ceftazidim, Ceftriaxon, Cefoxitin, Imipenem, Meropenem, Ertapenem, Cefepim, Ampicillin, Cefazolin, Cefuroxime, Aztreonam, Nitrofurantoin und Fosfomycin mit dem Plättchentest, für Aminoglycoside, Chinolone, Sulfamethoxazol und Trimethoprim im Agardiffusionstest mittels Bestimmung der MHK durchgeführt.Ergebnisse: Bei 219 verschiedenen Enterobacteriaceae spp. wurden folgende Resistenzraten ermittelt: Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazol (Cotrimoxazol) 69,8%, Nalidixinsäure 68,9%, Ciprofloxacin 66,2%, Levofloxacin 58,5%, Tobramycin 47,9%, Kanamycin 39,3%, Gentamicin 27,8% und Amikacin 5,5%. Hohe Resistenzraten wurden bei Sulfamethoxazol 88,1%, Ampicillin 86,3%, Cephazolin 79,4% und Trimethoprim 78,5% beobachtet.Schlussfolgerungen: Am wirksamsten erwiesen sich gegen Enterobacteriaceae spp. Fosfomycin, Carbapeneme und Amikacin. Chinolone, Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazol sind nicht geeignet zur empirischen Therapie. Unter den Aminoglycosiden ist Amikacin wirksamer und in Kombination mit Fosfomycin und Carbapenemen bei schweren Verlaufsformen möglicherweise noch wirksamer

Resistenz von bei Harnweginfektionen isolierten Enterobacteriaceae gegen Chinolone, Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoyxazol und Aminoglycoside in Azerbaijan, Iran

Aim: Antibiotic susceptibility patterns help to select appropriate empirical treatments of urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study aimed to investigate antibiotic resistance among Enterobacteriaceae isolated from UTIs in Azerbaijan, Iran.Methods: This study was carried out during 2016 in hospitals located in Tabriz, Urmia, and Khoy. Midstream urine specimens were cultured and identified by the standard methods. Susceptibility testing was carried out using the disk diffusion agar method for cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefoxitin, imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem, cefepime, ampicillin, cefazolin, cefuroxime, aztreonam, nitrofurantoin, and fosfomycin and the agar dilution method for MIC determination of aminoglycosides, quinolones, sulfamethoxazole, and trimethoprim. Results: A total of 219 non-duplicated Enterobacteriaceae were isolated from UTIs. According to the agar dilution assay, the following resistance rates were determined: trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole) 69.8%, nalidixic acid 68.9%, ciprofloxacin 66.2%, levofloxacin 58.5%, tobramycin 47.9%, kanamycin 39.3%, gentamicin 27.8%, and amikacin 5.5%. High levels of resistance were observed to trimethoprim (78.5%), sulfamethoxazole (88.1%), ampicillin (86.3%), and cephazoline (79.4%). Conclusion: The most effective agents against Enterobacteriaceae were fosfomycin, carbapenems, and amikacin. Quinolones, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole are not appropriate for empirical therapy due to high levels of resistance. Amikacin is more effective among aminoglycosides and may be more effective, in complicated cases, when used in combination with fosfomycin and carbapenems.Zielsetzung: Antibiotika-Suszeptibilitätsmuster unterstützen die Auswahl von Antibiotika zur empirischen Behandlung von Harnweginfektionen (HWI). Daher sollte die Antibiotikaresistenz von bei Harnweginfektionen in Azerbaijan isolierten Enterobacteriaceae untersucht werden. Methode: Die Studie wurde in 2016 in Krankenhäusern in Tabriz, Urmia und Khoy durchgeführt. Mittelstrahlurin wurde mittels üblicher Technik kultiviert. Die Resistenztestung wurde für Cefotaxim, Ceftazidim, Ceftriaxon, Cefoxitin, Imipenem, Meropenem, Ertapenem, Cefepim, Ampicillin, Cefazolin, Cefuroxime, Aztreonam, Nitrofurantoin und Fosfomycin mit dem Plättchentest, für Aminoglycoside, Chinolone, Sulfamethoxazol und Trimethoprim im Agardiffusionstest mittels Bestimmung der MHK durchgeführt.Ergebnisse: Bei 219 verschiedenen Enterobacteriaceae spp. wurden folgende Resistenzraten ermittelt: Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazol (Cotrimoxazol) 69,8%, Nalidixinsäure 68,9%, Ciprofloxacin 66,2%, Levofloxacin 58,5%, Tobramycin 47,9%, Kanamycin 39,3%, Gentamicin 27,8% und Amikacin 5,5%. Hohe Resistenzraten wurden bei Sulfamethoxazol 88,1%, Ampicillin 86,3%, Cephazolin 79,4% und Trimethoprim 78,5% beobachtet.Schlussfolgerungen: Am wirksamsten erwiesen sich gegen Enterobacteriaceae spp. Fosfomycin, Carbapeneme und Amikacin. Chinolone, Trimethoprim and Sulfamethoxazol sind nicht geeignet zur empirischen Therapie. Unter den Aminoglycosiden ist Amikacin wirksamer und in Kombination mit Fosfomycin und Carbapenemen bei schweren Verlaufsformen möglicherweise noch wirksamer