N-(Di)icosyl-substituted benzo[a]phenoxazinium chlorides : synthesis and evaluation as near-infrared membrane probes

Five benzo[a]phenoxazinium chlorides containing alkyl chains with twenty carbon atoms on 5- or 9-positions of the tetracyclic ring were efficiently synthesised and characterised by UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy. The absorption and emission maxima in ethanol lie in the range 627-641 nm and 645-676 nm, respectively, with quantum yields varying from 0.14 to 0.38. Preliminary photophysical studies with these fluorochromophores in zwitterionic (2,3- bis(palmitoyl-oxy)propyl-2-(trimethylammonio)ethyl phosphate, DPPC) and cationic (N,N-dimethyl-N-octadecyloctadecan-1-aminium bromide, DODAB) vesicles were carried out. The results showed that the new benzo[a]phenoxazinium derivatives are able to detect the gel to liquid-crystalline lipid phase transition through variations, either in the H-aggregation extent or in an acid-base equilibrium.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) - REDE/1517/RMN/2005Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) - POCI 201

A surveillance of nosocomial candida infections: epidemiology and influences on mortalty in intensive care units

Introduction: it was aimed to investigate the frequency of Candida infections (CI) in the intensive care units (ICU), to determine typing of candida to evaluate risk factors associated with CI and mortality, and to evaluate influence of CI on mortality. Methods: the prospective cohort study was carried out between Jan 1, 2009 and Dec 31, 2010 in ICUs, and the patients were observed with active surveillance. VITEK 2 Compact System (BioMerieux, France) kits were used for the identification of isolates from various clinical samples. Results: a total of 2362 patients had enrolled for 16135 patients-days into the study. During the study, 63 (27,5%) of patients developed 77 episodes of CI were observed. Of the patients; 54% were male, 46% were female. Duration of hospitalization (OR=1,03, p=0,007), hyperglycemia (OR=17,93, p=0,009), and co- infections (OR=3,98, p=0,001) were identified as independent risk factors for CI. The most common infections were bloodstream (53%). 77 of 135 candida strains was isolated as causative pathogens. C. albicans (63,6%) was the most frequent species. Overall mortality rate was 78%. The rates of mortality attiributable to CI and candidemia were 27%, and 18,3% respectively. Species- specific mortality rates of C.albicans and C.tropicalis were determined as 12%. High APACHE II scores (OR=1,37; p=0,002), and the use of central venous catheter (OR=9,01; p=0,049) were assigned as independent risk factors for mortality. Conclusion: CI is an important problem in our hospital. CI and associated mortalty can be prevented by controlling of risk factors. Updating of epidemiological data is required for successful antifungal treatment

Korištenje otpadnog mulja i diatomita kao medija u proizvodnji sadnica običnog bora (Pinus sylvestris L.) i procjena preživljavanja sadnica na terenu

Although several organic and inorganic substrates are added to growing media for improving its physical and chemical characteristics, the need for search of new materials and/or mixtures that reduces the high-priced peat content in substrates is still interesting. This study evaluated the feasibility of reducing the peat content in substrates by replacing it with different amounts of diatomite and sewage sludge for Scots pine seedling (Pinus sylvestris L.) growth and their land performance. In order to evaluate the feasibility of reducing the peat content in substrates by replacing it with different amounts of diatomite and sewage sludge, an experiment was carried out in a temperature-controlled greenhouse under natural light. To evaluate the land performance of Scots pine seedlings grown in different substrates, a trial was established between the years 2013-2017 in Sarıkamış, Kars (NE Anatolia). Sewage sludge application, due to its high organic matter and macro and micronutrient content, has improved the composition of the rhizosphere, thereby resulting in growth acceleration. As a result of the evaluations made in terms of both seedling morphological characteristics and land performance; the best performance was determined in the 9th (50%P+50%SS) and 3rd (75%SS+25%DE) mixtures.Unatoč tome što se supstratu za uzgoj dodaju određeni organski i anorganski supstrati kako bi se poboljšale njegove fizičke i kemijske karakteristike, i dalje je zanimljiva potreba za istraživanjem novih materijala i/ili smjesa koje smanjuju udio skupocjenog treseta u supstratima. U ovom radu procijenit će se izvedivost smanjenja sadržaja treseta u supstratima njegovom zamjenom s različitim količinama diatometa i mulja iz otpadnih voda za rast sadnica običnog bora (Pinus sylvestris L.) te njihovo preživljavanje na terenu. Kako bi se procijenila izvedivost smanjenja sadržaja treseta u supstratima zamjenom s različitim količinama diatometa i mulja iz otpadnih voda, provedeno je istraživanje u stakleniku, pod prirodnim svjetlom i u kontroliranim temperaturnim uvjetima. Između 2013. i 2017. godine u mjestu Sarıkamış, Kars (SI Anadolija) pokrenuto je istraživanje kojim će se procijeniti učinak koje zemljište ima na sadnice običnog bora koje rastu u različitim supstratima. Visoko organske tvari te makro i mikrohranjivi sastojci koji se nalaze u mulju iz otpadnih voda poboljšali su sastav rizosfere. što je rezultiralo bržim rastom sadnica. Kao rezultat evaluacija obavljenih u pogledu morfoloških karakteristika sadnica i utjecaja koji zemljište ima na preživljavanje sadnica; najbolji učinak postignut je u 9. (50%P + 50%SS) i 3. smjesi (75%SS + 25%DE)

Inhibitory effect of bacteriocins against Escherichia coli O157:H7

The purpose of this study was to explore the activity of bacteriocin enterocin KP and lactococcin BZ against Escherichia coli O157:H7, a Gram-negative foodborne pathogen, in ultra-high temperature (UHT) milks with different fat ratios. Enterocin KP and lactococcin BZ were produced from two bacteriocinogenic strains, isolated in previous studies from White cheese and Boza. Full fat (3.0%), half fat (1.5%), and low fat (<0.1% fat) UHT milks inoculated with 10(2), 10(4), and 10(6) CFU/ml of E. coli O157:H7 were treated with different concentrations (400, 800, 1600, and 2500 AU/ml) of lactococcin BZ, enterocin KP, or a combination of both and stored at 4 or 20 celcius for 20 days. The survival of E. coli O157:H7 was determined at both storage temperatures during the storage period of 20 days. Lactococcin BZ and enterocin KP had a bactericidal impact on E. coli O157:H7 in all UHT milk samples either separately or in combination. However, antibacterial activity of the bacteriocins decreased with increasing fat content of milk and inoculum levels of bacterium. The results of this study indicate that lactococcin BZ and enterocin KP may be useful candidates either separately or in combination as biopreservatives for use in the dairy industry to control the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.Gaziosmanpasa University, Turkey [2008-50]The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the Gaziosmanpasa University, Turkey (grant number 2008-50)

The interrelations of radiologic findings and mechanical ventilation in community acquired pneumonia patients admitted to the intensive care unit: a multicentre retrospective study

BACKGROUND: We evaluated patients admitted to the intensive care units with the diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) regarding initial radiographic findings. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was held. Chest x ray (CXR) and computerized tomography (CT) findings and also their associations with the need of ventilator support were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 388 patients were enrolled. Consolidation was the main finding on CXR (89%) and CT (80%) examinations. Of all, 45% had multi-lobar involvement. Bilateral involvement was found in 40% and 44% on CXR and CT respectively. Abscesses and cavitations were rarely found. The highest correlation between CT and CXR findings was observed for interstitial involvement. More than 80% of patients needed ventilator support. Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) requirement was seen to be more common in those with multi-lobar involvement on CXR as 2.4-fold and consolidation on CT as 47-fold compared with those who do not have these findings. Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) need increased 8-fold in patients with multi-lobar involvement on CT. CONCLUSION: CXR and CT findings correlate up to a limit in terms of interstitial involvement but not in high percentages in other findings. CAP patients who are admitted to the ICU are severe cases frequently requiring ventilator support. Initial CT and CXR findings may indicate the need for ventilator support, but the assumed ongoing real practice is important and the value of radiologic evaluation beyond clinical findings to predict the mechanical ventilation need is subject for further evaluation with large patient series

The inhibitory effect of lactoccocin BZ against Escherichia coli on fresh beef

During the processing of fresh meat, there is a risk of contamination with foodborne pathogenic E. coli. The use of bacteriocins is considered to ensure the safety of fresh meat. In this context, the impact of lactococcin BZ on the E. coli population in fresh beef has been investigated. The antibacterial activity of lactococcin BZ was observed in meat samples inoculated with E. coli both during and after attachment condition (10(3) and 10(6) CFU/mL), and over a 12 days storage period in refrigeration (4 degrees C). Different amounts of lactococcin BZ (ranging from 400 to 3200 AU/mL) were applied to fresh meat for varying treatment durations (0-30 minutes). Following the application of lactococcin BZ at levels of 800, 1600, and 3200 AU/mL during attachment, E. coli counts were immediately reduced by 3.62 log units. At high inoculum dose, lactococcin BZ (3200 AU/mL) decreased the pathogen by approximately 6 log units in 5 minutes during attachment. E. coli exhibited sensitivity to lactococcin BZ (400, 1600, and 3200 AU/mL) both in low and high inoculum doses after attachment to fresh beef. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of lactococcin BZ increased with its concentration over the 12 days of refrigerated. In conclusion, lactococcin BZ demonstrated inhibitory effect against E. coli in fresh beef, suggesting its potential use as a biopreservative in the meat industry.Mugla Sitki Kocman University Research Projects Coordination Office [20/115/01/3/5]This work was supported by the Mugla Sitki Kocman University Research Projects Coordination Office through Project Grant Number [20/115/01/3/5]

Microbiological, antimicrobial and antioxidant characteristics of commercial Turkish kefirs

In this study, the microbiological properties, physicochemical characteristics, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Turkish commercial kefir products were investigated. The enumeration of Lactococci, aerobic lactobacilli, anaerobic lactobacilli, acetic acid bacteria (AAB) and yeast were performed by spread plate technique and counted as 7.35, 6.62, 6.85, 6.24 and 2.35 log CFU/g, respectively. Antimicrobial activity of kefir was evaluated using the disk diffusion method. Ten microorganisms, including seven Grampositive strains and three Gram-negative strains were tested. While Listeria monocytogenes, L. ivanovii and Escherichia coli were the sensitive bacteria for all kefir samples, L. plantarum, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and E. coli O157:H7 are the resistant bacteria. The means of pH, total phenolic content, Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) and lipid peroxidation were 4.03, 4.39 mg GAE/100mL, 0.15 mu mol Trolox/mL and 7.23%, respectively. From the beneficial health properties point of view, kefir appears to be a promising food

Spectroscopic and photophysicochemical properties of zinc(II) phthalocyanine substituted with benzenesulfonamide units containing schiff base

In this study, compounds (E)-4-((5-bromo-2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)amino)-N-(pyridin-2-yl)benzenesul-fonamide 1, (E)-4-((5-bromo-2-(3,4-dicyanophenoxy)-3-methoxybenzylidene)amino)-N-(pyridin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide 2 and, complex 2(3),9(10),16(17),23(24)-tetra-[(E)-4-((5-bromo-3-methoxy-2-(lambda(1)-oxidanyl)benzylidene)amino)-N-(pyridine-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide]phthalocyaninato zinc(II) 3 were synthesized for the first time. Their structures (1-3) were characterized by spectroscopic methods such as FTIR, H-1 NMR,C-13 NMR, UV-vis, MALDI-TOF mass spectra and elemental analysis. The spectroscopic, aggregation, photophysical and photochemical properties of zinc(II) phthalocyanine 3 in dimethyl sulfoxide were investigated and the effects on the above-mentioned properties were reported as a result of the presence of benzenesulfonamide derivatives containing different bioactive groups, in their peripheral positions. In addition, its above-mentioned properties were also reported by comparing different species with those of their substituted and/or unsubstituted counterparts. The zinc(II) phthalocyanine 3 can be a potential photosensitizer candidate in photodynamic therapy, which is an effective alternative therapy in cancer treatment, due to its good solubility in commonly known solvents and monomeric species, as well as its adequate and favorable fluorescence, singlet oxygen production and photostability.Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, The Scientific Research Coordination Unit [FDK-2018-2567]This work was supported by Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, The Scientific Research Coordination Unit, Project number: FDK-2018-2567

Effect of carvedilol on silent anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity assessed by strain imaging: A prospective randomized controlled study with six-month follow-up

Background: The use of antracycline (ANT) in breast cancer has been associated with adverse cardiac events. Two-dimensional (2D) strain imaging (SI) can provide a more sensitive measure of altered left ventricular (LV) systolic function. We aimed to evaluate the preventive effect of carvedilol administration assessed by SI in a patient with breast cancer treated with ANT.Methods: Patients receiving ANT were randomly assigned to the carvedilol- or placebo-receiving group. Each received an echocardiographic examination with conventional 2D echocardiography, pulsed tissue Doppler, and 2D SI prior to and 6 months post ANT treatment.Results: During the 6-month follow-up period there were no patient deaths or interrupted chemotherapy treatments due to doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Both left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fractional shortening (FS) were within normal limits for all patients before and after ANT therapy. EF, FS and LV dimensions were measured using M-mode echocardiography and found to be similar in both groups before and after ANT therapy. The mean EF, FS, and LV echocardiograph baseline and control dimensions were similar in both groups after 6 months. Though baseline SI parameters were similar between the groups, there was a significant decrease in LV basal septal and basal lateral peak systolic strain in the control group compared to the carvedilol group.Conclusions: These results indicate that carvedilol has a protective effect against the cardiotoxicity induced by ANT.