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In this study, phosphonium salt-bearing polynorbornenes were synthesized using five different aromatic side chains (triphenylphosphonium, trifluorophenyl phosphonium, trichlorophenyl phosphonium, tri(p-tolyl)phosphonium, and cyclohexyldiphenyl phosphonium) via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The biological activities of these polymers were determined by their minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and additionally, cytotoxicity studies on red blood cells were performed to report on their hemolytic activities (HC50). All of the synthesized polymers were found to be more active toward S. aureus than E. coli, and among them, tri(p-tolyl)phosphonium-and cyclohexyldiphenyl phosphonium-bearing homopolymers were found to be the most active against S. aureus (MIC: 2 mu g mL(-1)) under the Mueller Hinton Broth (MHB) medium; however, the polymers were also found to be hemolytic (HC50

Objective: This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the 3-year findings of bacterial and fungal pathogens isolated from infections in patients with hematological malignancies. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 158 patients with hematological malignancies treated between January 2015 and December 2017 in Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. A total of 3374 non-consecutive blood samples (n=1954) from 158 patients, urine samples (n=1024), wound swabs (n=94), respiratory samples (n=87), and other samples (CSF, body fluids, etc.) (n=215) were collected. Results: Pathogen growth was detected in 6% (203/3374) of the samples. The most frequently isolated pathogens are coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS, 20%), E. coli (19%), Klebsiella sp. (17%), and yeasts (16%), followed by Pseudomonas sp., Acinetobacter sp. and Enterococcus sp. (7%, 6%, and 6%, respectively). Candida species were dominant in fungal isolates (26/32; 81.2%). The most commonly detected antibiotic resistance patterns and organisms are carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter sp. (92%), methicillin-resistant CNS (83%), carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella sp. (65%), MRSA (57%), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE, 42%). Conclusion: Bloodstream infections accounted for more than half of all infection episodes. Periodic examination of the clinical and microbiological profiles of infections developing in patients with malignancy is essential for successful treatment management. &nbsp

Objective: It was aimed to identify the contaminant and determine the alternative disinfectant detection in the microbial growth observed in various parts of the cadaver stored in the formalin tank in the dissection laboratory of Marmara University Anatomy Department. We also performed a literature review of this unusual pathogen. Materials and Methods: Swab samples were inoculated on agar mediums. After incubation, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionizationtime of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis was used to identify the isolate from the detected uniform colonies. Sample solution from the cadaver tank, freshly prepared 5% formalin and 0.55% ortho-phthalaldehyde were used to determine the disinfectant sensitivity of the isolate. Results: According to 16s rDNA sequence analysis, it was concluded as Skermanella aerolata with 99% similarity. In the disinfectant susceptibility test, it was observed that S. aerolata and control bacteria could grow in 5% formalin taken from the cadaver tank. No growth was detected in other disinfectants. Conclusion: To prevent cadaver contamination in anatomy laboratories, the quality control of the embalming solutions and indoor air filtration of the dissection rooms should be checked at regular intervals. Members of Skermanella genus have been identified as environmental organisms in several studies, however, recent researches reported this bacterium as a human pathogen.

Juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone) (J) is a naphthoquinone structured allelochemical that is mostly found in the roots, leaves, nut-hulls, bark, and wood of walnut (

Objective: In this study, we examined the factors affecting the psychological symptoms and quality of life of the caregiver parents of the cerebral palsy patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between May-September 2013 in fifty CP patients and their caregivers. Demographic information, parents' education, family type, households, patients' siblings, drug usage, rehabilitation hospitalizations (NoRH), and gross motor function levels were recorded. The caregivers completed the psychometric symptom checklist (SCL-90-R) and the QoL questionary (SF-36). Factors affecting SCL-90-R and SF-36 were evaluated by correlation and regression analysis. Results: The proportion of symptomatic parents in the psychiatric evaluation ranged from 26% to 58% in subheadings. Psychological symptoms were mostly correlated with low QoL. Quality of life was lower than the population average in all subheadings. GHI and paranoid thoughts were positively correlated with NoRH. Households' number was negatively correlated with NoRH (p=0.045, p=0.032, p=0.025). Interpersonal sensitivity and the siblings’ number were positively correlated (p=0.005). Father's primary school graduation was a risk factor for increased anxiety (OR=0.446, p=0.030). The female CP was a risk for paranoid thoughts (OR=0.410, p=0.025). For SF-36, median scores were low in all components. The nuclear family was a risk factor for low physical components score (OR=-8.123, p=0.009). Not using any medications was a risk factor for a lower mental component score (OR=7.953, p=0.008). Conclusion: The caregiver parents had low QoL and more psychological symptoms. Public healthcare policymakers should plan projects to improve the psychological health and QOL of caregivers.

PROP

In this research, polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA)/gelatin (GEL)/propolis (Ps) biocompatible nanofiber patches were fabricated via electrospinning technique. The controlled release of Propolis, surface wettability behaviors, antimicrobial activities against the S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, and biocompatibility properties with the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were investigated in detail. By adding 0.5, 1, and 3 wt.% GEL into the 13 wt.% PVA, the morphological and mechanical results suggested that 13 wt.% PVA/0.5 wt.% GEL patch can be an ideal matrix for 3 and 5 wt.% propolis addition. Morphological results revealed that the diameters of the electrospun nanofiber patches were increased with GEL (from 290 nm to 400 nm) and Ps addition and crosslinking process cause the formation of thicker nanofibers. The tensile strength and elongation at break enhancement were also determined for 13 wt.% PVA/0.5 wt.% GEL/3 wt.% Ps patch. Propolis was released quickly in the first hour and arrived at a plateau. Cell culture and contact angle results confirmed that the 3 wt.% addition of propolis reinforced mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and wettability properties of the patches. The antimicrobial activity demonstrated that propolis loaded patches had antibacterial activity against the S. aureus, but for P. aeruginosa, more studies should be performed.

In this study, three-dimensional tissue scaffolds were fabricated using a 3D printing process. Chitosan (CS) was used as a matrix polymer, and Osage orange extract (OGE) with different amounts was added as a bioactive material. The scaffolds were characterized by SEM, FTIR, tensile testing, antibacterial, and biocompatibility tests. The SEM images revealed that scaffolds had homogeneous morphology, and the size of the pores ranged from 160 µm to 270 µm. FTIR spectrum of the extracted Osage Orange confirmed the successful extraction of the Osage Orange. The OGE addition decreased the swelling capacity of the CS scaffold proportionally. Biocompatibility results proved the biostability properties of the scaffolds. According to the results, the antibacterial activity of the scaffolds against the Staphylococcus Aureus (S. aureus) and Enterococcus Faecalis (E. faecalis) should be provided after detailed optimization.

FEN-C-YLP-130319-0065 BAPKO Project. UID/CTM/50025/2019 In this study, the main aim was to fabricate propolis (Ps)-containing wound dressing patches using 3D printing technology. Different combinations and structures of propolis (Ps)-incorporated sodium alginate (SA) scaffolds were developed. The morphological studies showed that the porosity of developed scaffolds was optimized when 20% (v/v) of Ps was added to the solution. The pore sizes decreased by increasing Ps concentration up to a certain level due to its adhesive properties. The mechanical, swelling-degradation (weight loss) behaviors, and Ps release kinetics were highlighted for the scaffold stability. An antimicrobial assay was employed to test and screen antimicrobial behavior of Ps against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains. The results show that the Ps-added scaffolds have an excellent antibacterial activity because of Ps compounds. An in vitro cytotoxicity test was also applied on the scaffold by using the extract method on the human dermal fibroblasts (HFFF2) cell line. The 3D-printed SA-Ps scaffolds are very useful structures for wound dressing applications. publishersversion published

Urinary tract infections are one of the most common bacterial infections and rapid diagnosis of the infection is essential for appropriate antibiotic therapy. The goal of our study was to identify urinary pathogens directly by MALDI-TOF MS and to perform antibiotic susceptibility tests in order to shorten the period spent for culturing.Urine samples submitted for culture to the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory were enrolled in this study. Urine samples were screened for leukocyte and bacteria amount by flow cytometry. Samples with bacterial load of 106–107/mL were tested directly by MALDI-TOF MS and antibiotic susceptibility tests (AST) were performed.In total, 538 positive urine samples were evaluated in our study. MALDI-TOF MS identified the microorganism directly from the urine sample in 91.8% of these samples and the concordance rate of conventional identification and direct detection was 95.8% for Gram-negatives at the genus and species level. Escherichia coli (n:401) was the most frequently isolated microorganism, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (n:57). AST results were generated for 111 of these urine samples and the concordance was 90% and 87% for E. coli and K. pneumoniae, respectively.Our results showed that screening of urine samples with flow cytometry to detect positive samples and identification of uropathogens directly by MALDI-TOF MS with an accuracy of over 90% can be a suitable method particularly for Gram-negative bacteria in clinical microbiology laboratories.

Objective: To evaluate the application of an automated urine analyzer (AUA) for the diagnosis of bladder cancer (BC) Materials and Methods: A retrospective data analysis of 2365 urine specimens from the department of urology has been performed and matched with those patients, who have undergone cystoscopic evaluation or surgical treatment for different urological pathologies during 2018. After matching, clinical records of the patients has been further evaluated in order to select patients with recent or previous BC diagnosis. To assess the diagnostic efficacy of AUA, patients were divided into five groups according to the patient history of BC and healthy controls. Results: A total of 106 patients are included in this study and the majority (69.8%) of the patients are follow-up patients with previous diagnosis and treatment of non-muscle invasive BC (NMIBC). For patients with low-risk NMIBC (n=27), the sensitivity and specificity were calculated as 75% and 100%. For patients with high-risk NMIBC (n=47), who were previously treated with intravesical BCG, the sensitivity and specificity were calculated as 54.5% and 83.3%. All patients in radical cystectomy group (n=7) with muscle invasive BC had positive urine analyses results for atypical cells. And none of the patients in the control group (n=8) had positive AUA results and cystoscopic evaluation also did not show any bladder mass suspicious for BC. Conclusion: The results of this retrospective pilot study showed acceptable sensitivity and specificity rates of the fluorescence flow cytometry based AUA and the results of the low-risk group are especially valuable regarding its potential use to decide on performing a follow-up cystoscopy or not. A prospective study is currently on progress to validate the findings of the current study.

Amphiphilic poly(oxanorbornene)s are promising synthetic polymers that mimic the structural properties and antimicrobial functions of naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides. Here, poly(oxanorbornene)s bearing pendant zinc(II) phthalocyanine and triphenyl(ethyl) phosphonium functionalities are synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Fluorescence, singlet oxygen and triplet quantum yields of polymers are measured in dimethyl sulfoxide and aqueous medium. The singlet oxygen quantum yields of copolymers with the highest triphenyl and triethyl phosphonium content are found to be 0.29 and 0.41, respectively. Then, antimicrobial activities of polymers against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are investigated under both dark and light conditions. Synergistic effect of zinc(II) phthalocyanine and phosphonium-containing poly(oxanorbornene) is observed that the conjugate possessing the most triphenyl phosphonium side chains has the highest activity under light against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains after 80 min irradiation, reducing the survival of E. coli or S. aureus by 99.9999%. Hemolytic concentrations of the copolymers are found between 8 and 512 mu g mL(-1). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) proves that the bacteria membrane deforms after contacting with the biocidal polymer.

Background:Antiretroviral treatment (ART) reduces morbidity and mortality caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; however, the emergence of drug-resistant strains poses an important obstacle to treatment success. Using conventional sequencing methods to determine antiretroviral resistance, mutations present in ≥20% of quasispecies can be identified, but drug-resistant minority variants can lead to virologic failure.Objective:We aimed to assess transmitted drug resistance mutations (TDRMs) within minority variants using ultra-deep pyrosequencing (UDPS).Method:Treatment-naive adult patients were included in this observational study. Surveillance TDRMs were classified as ≥20% or at minority variant level (≥2% – Results:Thirty-six patients were analyzed. Any TDRM at ≥20% level was detected in 8.3% of the patients (n=3). This prevalence increased to 30.6% (n=11) with the inclusion of minority variants. All non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and protease inhibitor-related TDRMs were within minority variants. The genotypic sensitivity score of rilpivirine-based regimens was considerably diminished when minority variants were included in the PDRM analysis.Conclusion:UDPS was used for the first time to assess TDRM in a Turkish HIV cohort and uncovered several mutations hidden within minority variants. UDPS may be preferred to detect PDRMs for avoiding virologic failure with rilpivirine-based ART regimens.

High-fat diet (HFD) consumption leads to metabolic disorders, gastrointestinal dysfunction and intestinal dysbiosis. Antibiotics also disrupt the composition of intestinal microbiota. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of a short-term feeding with HFD on oxidative status, enteric microbiota, intestinal motility and the effects of antibiotics and/or melatonin treatments on diet-induced hepato-intestinal dysfunction and inflammation. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were pair-fed with either standard chow or HFD (45 % fat) and were given tap water or melatonin (4 mg/kg per d) or melatonin plus antibiotics (ABX; neomycin, ampicillin, metronidazole; each 1 g/l) in drinking water for 2 weeks. On the 14th day, colonic motility was measured and the next day intestinal transit was assessed using charcoal propagation. Trunk blood, liver and intestine samples were removed for biochemical and histopathological evaluations, and faeces were collected for microbiota analysis. A 2-week HFD feeding increased blood glucose level and perirenal fat weight, induced low-level hepatic and intestinal inflammation, delayed intestinal transit, led to deterioration of epithelial tight junctions and overgrowth of colonic bacteria. Melatonin intake in HFD-fed rats reduced ileal inflammation, colonic motility and perirenal fat accumulation. ABX abolished increases in fat accumulation and blood glucose, reduced ileal oxidative damage, suppressed HFD-induced overgrowth in colonic bacteria, and reversed HFD-induced delay in intestinal transit; however, hepatic neutrophil accumulation, hepatic injury and dysfunction were further enhanced. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that even a short-term HFD ingestion results in hepato-intestinal inflammatory state and alterations in bacterial populations, which may be worsened with antibiotic intake, but alleviated by melatonin.

This paper focuses on the synthesis of cationic antibacterial polymers that could be a potential source for new-generation antibiotics with well-defined architecture derived from the Ring Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) technique. Mono- and double-charge bearing quaternary groups have been used to synthesize cationic homopolymers (MWs: 3000 and 10,000 g/mole) and their copolymers (MWs: 5000 g/mole). Hemolytic concentration (HC50, >= 1000 mu g/mL) and MTS assay results showed that the polymers are non-toxic. It has been observed that the double-charge bearing polymers have the highest antimicrobial activity (S. aureus= 8 mu g/mL) and a high selectivity against S. aureus (>250). Percent killing efficiencies were tested on a glass surface where moderate killing efficiency was observed in the range of 40-80% in 5 min. Cationic charge density and zeta potential studies were used to investigate the mechanisms of antimicrobial efficiency of the polymers in a solution during the action against S. aureus to understand structure-activity relationships. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was also conducted for the bacterial morphology assay.

In this study, the performance of the “RESIST-3 O.K.N. K-SeT” (Coris BioConcept, Gembloux, Belgium) immunochromatographic assay was evaluated in 132 Klebsiella pneumoniae comprising 102 carbapenem resistant and 30 carbapenem susceptible isolates. Genotypically known isolates of Gram negative bacteria ( n = 22) including various species were also tested by the assay as controls. The isolates tested by the immunochromatographic assay and also were run PCR for bla KPC , bla IMP , bla VIM , bla NDM , and bla OXA-48 . The rates of bla NDM , bla OXA-48 , and bla KPC in carbapenem resistant isolates were found at 52.9%, 39.2%, and 2.0%, respectively. Both bla NDM and bla OXA-48 were found in six (5.9%) isolates. The results of the assay showed 100% concordance with those obtained by PCR in 132 K. pneumoniae . The agreement between the two methods was found to be identical at the isolate level. The assay also correctly detected all genotypically known isolates of Escherichia coli , Serratia marcescens , Citrobacter freundii , Enterobacter cloacae , K. pneumoniae carrying bla KPC , bla NDM , and/or bla OXA-48 . On the other hand, the assay did not exhibit any cross-reaction in control isolates harboring bla IMP and bla VIM . We conclude that the RESIST-3 O.K.N. K-SeT is a reliable, rapid, and user friendly test and we recommend it for routine diagnostic laboratories.

Objective To investigate the effects of plant-derived phenolic compounds ( i.e. caffeic acid, cinnamic acid, ferulic acid and vanillic acid) on the production of quorum sensing regulated virulence factors such as pyocyanin, biofilm formation and swarming motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( P. aeruginosa ) isolates. Methods Fourteen clinical P. aeruginosa isolates obtained from urine samples and P. aeruginosa PA01 strain were included in the study. The antibacterial effects of phenolic compounds were screened by well diffusion assay. Pyocyanin and biofilm activity were measured from culture supernatants and the absorbance values were measured using a spectrophotometer. Swarming plates supplemented with phenolic acids were point inoculated with P. aeruginosa strains and the ability to swarm was determined by measuring the distance of swarming from the central inoculation site. Results Tested phenolic compounds reduced the production of pyocyanin and biofilm formation without affecting growth compared to untreated cultures. Moreover, these compounds blocked about 50% of biofilm production and swarming motility in P. aeruginosa isolates. Conclusions We may suggest that if swarming and consecutive biofilm formation could be inhibited by the natural products as shown in our study, the bacteria could not attach to the surfaces and produce chronic infections. Antimicrobials and natural products could be combined and the dosage of antimicrobials could be reduced to overcome antimicrobial resistance and drug side effects.

WOS: 000373741100002 PubMed ID: 27058704 Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of selected cements, or their combination with titanium, on the growth of two periodontopathic bacteria: Prevotella intermedia (Pi) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn). Material/Methods: This study was comprised of several experimental groups: 1) Dental luting cements (glass ionomer cement, methacrylate-based resin cement, zinc-oxide eugenol cement, eugenol-free zinc oxide cement; 2) titanium discs; and 3) titanium combination cement discs. The disks were submerged in bacterial suspensions of either Fn or Pi. Planktonic bacterial growth within the test media was measured by determining the optical density of the cultures (OD600). Mean and standard deviations were calculated for planktonic growth from three separate experiments. Results: Intergroup comparison of all experimental groups revealed increased growth of Pi associated with cement-titanium specimens in comparison with cement specimens. Regarding the comparison of all groups for Fn, there was an increased amount of bacterial growth in cement-titanium specimens although the increase was not statistically significant. Conclusions: The combination of cement with titanium may exacerbate the bacterial growth capacity of Pi and Fn in contrast to their sole effect.

Although Saccharomyces boulardii is usually a non-pathogenic fungus, in rare occasions it can cause invasive infection in children. We present the case of an 8-year-old patient in pediatric surgical intensive care unit who developed S. cerevisiae fungemia following probiotic treatment containing S. boulardii. Caspofungin was not effective in this case and he was treated with amphotericin B. We want to emphasize that physicians should be careful about probiotic usage in critically ill patients.

Objective: Group B streptococci (GBS) are the major cause of pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis in neonates and adults. Epithelial invasion and early cytokine response of female genital tract considered to be important in the pathogenesis of GBS infection. In this study, we studied the IL-8 induction in cervical epithelial cells in response to stimulus with encapsulated (COH1) and unencapsulated (COH1-13) strains of group B streptococci. Methods: Human cervical epithelial cancer cell (HeLa) cultures were stimulated with different concentrations (106 CFU/ml and 108 CFU/ml) of two GBS strains. E.coli LPS was used as positive control and at specified time points (4, 8 and 24 hour) cell culture supernatant samples were collected. IL-8 level in samples was quantified by using ELISA assay. Results: Both GBS strains caused an equal IL-8 response in HeLa cells in a time-dependent manner. In addition, cytokine levels triggered by different bacterial concentrations were similar and comparable with LPS. Conclusion: Our study showed that GBS induce proinflammatory IL-8 levels in cervix epithelial cells. This induction seems to be independent from capsule polysaccharides and suggesting that other bacterial components are involved in IL-8 stimulation.

In this study, an experimental investigation of oblique cutting process is presented for titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V, AISI 4340, and Al 7075. Important process parameters such as shear angle, friction angle, shear stress, and chip flow angle are analyzed. Transformation of the data from the orthogonal cutting test results to oblique cutting process is applied, and the results are compared with actual oblique cutting tests. Effects of hone radius on cutting forces and flank contact length are also investigated. It is observed that the shear angle, friction angle, and shear stress in oblique cutting have the same trend with the ones obtained from the orthogonal cutting tests. The transformed oblique force coefficients from orthogonal tests have about 10% discrepancy in the feed and tangential directions. For the chip flow angle, the predictions based on kinematic and force balance results yield better results than Stabler's chip flow law. Finally, it is shown that the method of oblique transformation applied on the orthogonal cutting data yields more accurate results using the predicted chip flow angles compared to the ones obtained by the Stabler's rule.

We investigated the performance of a seminested PCR (snPCR) assay carried out directly from overnight incubated blood culture bottles of 50 newborn intensive care unit (NICU) patients with suspected candidemia and compared these, for sensitivity, specificity and reliability with results from blood cultures. All positive blood cultures (n = 17) yielded positive results for snPCR, which detected the same Candida species, as did the yeast isolates of which 13 were C. parapsilosis and 4 were C. albicans. With both assays showing 32 negative samples and one sample positive with snPCR but negative with blood culture, sensitivity and specificity of snPCR were 100% and 97%, respectively. The patient with contradictory results exhibited a positive blood culture one week later yielding the same species as identified by snPCR. These are the first data demonstrating that snPCR from overnight blood culture bottles can be a potential tool for rapid detection and identification of Candida species, allowing follow-up of the "gold standard" blood culturing, as well.