Objective
To compare the efficacy and safety of short-course intravenous levofloxacin (LVFX) 750 mg with a conventional intravenous/oral regimen of LVFX 500 mg in patients from China with complicated ...urinary tract infections (cUTIs) and acute pyelonephritis (APN).
Methods
This was a prospective, open-label, randomized, controlled, multicenter, non-inferiority clinical trial. Patients with cUTI and APN were randomly assigned to a short-course therapy group (intravenous LVFX at750 mg/day for 5 days) or a conventional therapy group (intravenous/oral regimen of LVFX at 500 mg/day for 7–14 days). The clinical, laboratory, and microbiological results were evaluated for efficacy and safety.
Results
The median dose of LVFX was 3555.4 mg in the short-course therapy group and 4874.2 mg in the conventional therapy group. Intention-to-treat analysis indicated the clinical effectiveness in the short-course therapy group (89.87%, 142/158) was non-inferior to that in the conventional therapy group (89.31%, 142/159). The microbiological effectiveness rates were also similar (short-course therapy: 89.55%, 60/67; conventional therapy: 86.30%, 63/73;
p
>
0.05). There were no significant differences in other parameters, including clinical and microbiological recurrence rates. The incidence of adverse effects and drug-related adverse effects were also similar for the short-course therapy group (21.95%, 36/164; 18.90%, 31/164) and the conventional therapy group (23.03%, 38/165; 15.76%, 26/165).
Conclusion
Patients with cUTIs and APN who were given short-course LVFX therapy and conventional LVFX therapy had similar outcomes in clinical and microbiological efficacy, tolerance, and safety. The short-course therapy described here is a more convenient alternative to the conventional regimen with potential implication in anti-resistance and cost saving.
Candida species are the commensal organisms of human mucosa and opportunistically cause the diseases in susceptible persons. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and virulence of different ...Candida spp. among nephrolithiatic patients and their association with complicated UTI (cUTI). A total of 164 urine samples were collected from surgical units of two tertiary care hospitals (Poly Clinic and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital, Islamabad). From 74 kidney stone patients, 77 isolates of Candida spp. were confirmed through standard microbiological and molecular characterization. C. albicans was the predominant species with 51 isolates (66.2%) followed by 26 (33.8%) of C. non-albicans. The nephrolithiatic patients suffering from cUTI were more prone to be infected with Candida (P=0.047). Among all isolates, 83% (64) of the Candida isolates were biofilm formers, 80% (60) showed the esterase production and 64.9% (50) showed phospholipase production. Candida isolates positive for various virulence factors were more prevalently isolated from both catheterized and recurrent UTI patients. Among Candida spp., 16.9% (13) isolates showed resistance to fluconazole and 19.5% (15) against voriconazole and 11 isolates were resistant for both tested antifungals. Candida isolated from cUTI cases showed comparatively enhanced virulence attributes and antifungal resistance, suggesting that these factors might have role in development of cUTI in nephrolithiatic patients. Hence, this work highlights the high prevalence of both C. albicans and non albicans spp. in nephrolithiatic patients. So, there is need to administer evidence based antifungal therapy rather than empirical therapy to reduce the cUTI in nephrolithiatic patients.
In this work three elements were investigated as Cu alloys for the self-forming barrier approach: Mn, Ti and Zr. Firstly pure alloy films were prepared in the concentration range from 3 to 9at.%. The ...thin films were analysed with four point probe, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and wafer bow measurements. These methods were used to determine the as-deposited state and the influence of the thermal annealing to the alloy. Additional to this, wafers were prepared with a layer stack of 50nm alloy and 500nm pure copper for electrical measurements. The diffusion behaviour of the alloying element was analysed with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. It was shown that Mn and Ti will diffuse through 500nm pure copper film. In contrast for Zr no diffusion was proved. It is forming an intermetallic phase and therefore remains in the alloy film. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images of the interface show an enrichment of each alloying elements at the silicon oxide interface after the annealing step. This indicates the ability for barrier self formation of all three elements. The barrier effectiveness against Cu diffusion was proved on MIS structures with BTS and TVS measurements.
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The exact mechanism of the periodic layer formation during solid state reactions remains still a controversial topic.The exploration of new systems, especially the non-silicide systems, is very ...important for the understanding of the formation mechanism and even for the possible applications of this interesting structure. This paper reports the periodic-layered structure discovered in the reaction zone of the new reaction system Zn/CuTi annealed at 663K for various times. The composition profile of the reaction zone and the chemistry of the periodic structure were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). It was found that the periodic-layered structure, consisting of the two-phase layer of (CuZn2+TiZn3) and the single-phase layer of CuZn2 alternated within the reaction zone, would be dissolved gradually during the diffusion process. The formation mechanism of the periodic layers was explained well with the diffusion-induced stresses model.
Backscattered electron image of the reaction zone in the diffusion couple Zn/CuTi annealed at 663K in vacumm for 24h. During the reactive diffusion, phase CuZn2 and phase TiZn3 in the periodic layers would be dissolved gradually into phase Ti1Cu2Zn14 (Ti5.6–6.4Cu10.1–12.4Zn81.3–84.3) and phase TiZn7 (Ti11.9–13.7Zn86.7~88.1), respectively. Display omitted
► The mechanism of the periodic-layered structure remains a controversial topic. ► It is important to explore the new systems, especially the non-silicide systems. ► A new reaction system Zn/CuTi was discovered to form the periodic structure. ► The mechanism is explained well with the diffusion-induced stresses model.
•A new Heusler alloy V2CuAl with Hg2CuTi-type structure has been developed.•The conducting character is shown by the majority and minority spin band structures calculations.•The magnetic moments of ...V(1) atom and V(2) atom indicated that the alloy is a ferromagnet.
In this article, a new Heusler alloy V2CuAl with Hg2CuTi-type structure has been obtained by first-principles calculations. The electric structure and magnetic performance of the alloy have also been investigated. The results show that the alloy has a total magnetic moment of 0.87μB per unit cell obtained by first-principles calculations. In addition, the conducting character and metal property are presented by the majority and minority spin band structures calculations. Furthermore, the magnetic moments of V(1) atom and V(2) atom are 0.36μB and 0.38μB, respectively, indicating that the alloy is a ferromagnet.
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the clinical outcome, microbiological outcome and safety profile of CSE-1034, a novel combination of Ceftriaxone, Sulbactam and EDTA in patients with ...complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI). Materials and Methods: This was a randomized, controlled, open-labeled Phase-3 trial with the primary objective of assessing the efficacy and safety of CSE-1034 versus Ceftriaxone for the empirical treatment of cUTI. Adult cUTI patients were randomized to receive either intravenous dose of CSE-1034 or Ceftriaxone. The primary end point was composite cure rate (clinical response and bacterial eradication) in mMITT population at test of cure (TOC) visit. Secondary measures included verification of primary endpoint across other visits in different population sets, safety of patients and treatment duration. Results: Overall, 204 patients were enrolled in the study and received one of the two treatments. At primary endpoint (TOC visit), the composite cure rate was much higher in CSE-1034 treatment arm compared to Ceftriaxone arm i.e. 97% (68/70) vs 83% (58/71) (treatment difference 12.6%; 95% CI: 5.9% to 26.4%). The adverse events (AEs) rates reported in two treatment arms were 21% in CSE-1034 and 36% in Ceftriaxone groups. Additionally, the treatment duration in CSE-1034 arm was significantly less (P < 0.05). Conclusions: CSE-1034 3 g every 24 h showed a high favorable clinical and bacteriological response, and 95% CI around the treatment difference prove the superiority of CSE-1034 vs. Ceftriaxone for the treatment of cUTI. Therefore, CSE-1034 provides an effective alternative in the treatment of patients with cUTI.
La CUTI hizo otro planteo al Ministerio de Economia que consiste en que las inversiones que realizan las empresas de software en recursos humanos -es decir horas de trabajo de personal capacitado- ...sean elegibles para recibir los beneficios fiscales de la ley de Inversiones. "La ley de Inversiones no contempla la inversion en recursos humanos y en las empresas de tecnologia de la informacion el 90% de la inversion es en recursos humanos", senalo a El Pais el empresario del sector y vicepresidente de Nuevos Emprendimientos de la CUTI, Conrado Vina. Hasta ahora la CUTI no habia planteado que la industria del software pudiera ampararse en la ley de Inversiones ya que tenia una exoneracion propia. (c) 2011 NoticiasFinancieras - (c) 2011 GDA - El Pais - All rights reserved De la manera en que quedo armado el esquema tributario del sector y al no tener los compradores de software la posibilidad de recibir beneficios fiscales por esa inversion -como si lo tienen si compraran maquinaria u otro tipo de insumos-, hace que a las empresas que producen software les sirva mas "exportar que vender aca", dijo a El Pais el empresario del sector y vicepresidente de Nuevos Emprendimientos de la Camara Uruguaya de Tecnologias de la Informacion (CUTI), Conrado Vina. Con el actual esquema "no se le esta facilitando" a las empresas uruguayas adquirir tecnologias de la informacion, senalo. Ademas a quienes producen software "les conviene mas venderle" a empresas del exterior que son "competidores" de las uruguayas, lo que "indirectamente las perjudica", apunto Vina.
Fluoroquinolones are a guideline-recommended therapy for complicated urinary tract infections, including pyelonephritis. Elevated drug concentrations of fluoroquinolones in the urine and therapy with ...high-dose levofloxacin are believed to overcome resistance and effectively treat infections caused by resistant bacteria. The ASPECT-cUTI phase 3 clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01345929 and NCT01345955 , both registered April 28, 2011) provided an opportunity to test this hypothesis by examining the clinical and microbiological outcomes of high-dose levofloxacin treatment by levofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentration.
Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to ceftolozane/tazobactam (1.5 g intravenous every 8 h) or levofloxacin (750 mg intravenous once daily) for 7 days of therapy. The ASPECT-cUTI study provided data on 370 patients with at least one isolate of Enterobacteriaceae at baseline who were treated with levofloxacin. Outcomes were assessed at the test-of-cure (5-9 days after treatment) and late follow-up (21-42 days after treatment) visits in the microbiologically evaluable population (N = 327).
Test-of-cure clinical cure rates above 90% were observed at minimum inhibitory concentrations ≤4 μg/mL. Microbiological eradication rates were consistently >90% at levofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentrations ≤0.06 μg/mL. Lack of eradication of causative pathogens at the test-of-cure visit increased the likelihood of relapse by the late follow-up visit.
Results from this study do not support levofloxacin therapy for complicated urinary tract infections caused by organisms with levofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentrations ≥4 μg/mL.
ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01345929 and NCT01345955.
Carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CO-DH) in
Mycobacterium
sp. strain JC1 is a key enzyme for the carboxydotrophic growth, when carbon monoxide (CO) is supplied as a sole source of carbon and energy. ...This enzyme is also known to act as nitric oxide dehydrogenase (NO-DH) for the detoxification of NO. Several accessory genes such as
cutD, cutE, cutF, cutG, cutH
, and
cutI
, are clustered together with two copies of the CO-DH structural genes (
cutB1C1A1
and
cutB2C2A2
) in
Mycobacterium
sp. strain JC1 and are well conserved in carboxydotrophic mycobacteria. Transcription of the CO-DH structural and accessory genes was demonstrated to be increased significantly by acidified sodium nitrate as a source of NO. A
cutI
deletion (Δ
cutI
) mutant of
Mycobacterium
sp. strain JC1 was generated to identity the function of
CutI
. Lithoautotrophic growth of the Δ
cutI
mutant was severely affected in mineral medium supplemented with CO, while the mutant grew normally with glucose. Western blotting, CO-DH activity staining, and CO-DH-specific enzyme assay revealed a significant decrease in the cellular level of CO-DH in the Δ
cutI
mutant. Northern blot analysis and promoter assay showed that expression of the
cutB1
and
cutB2
genes was significantly reduced at the transcriptional level in the Δ
cutI
mutant, compared to that of the wildtype strain. The Δ
cutI
mutant was much more susceptible to NO than was the wild type.
Pasal 70 ayat (3) UU Nomor 10/2016 tentang Pilkada mewajibkan kepala daerah incumbent untuk cuti jika yang bersangkutan akan mencalonkan kembali pada daerah yang sama. Terhadap aturan tersebut ...kemudian menimbulkan pro dan kontra, apakah aturan cuti kampanye bagi kepala daerah incumbent layak dipertahankan atau tidak. Setiap peraturan pasti memiliki kelebihan dan kelemahan termasuk peraturan tentang cuti ini terutama jika dikaitkan dengan tujuan dari pilkada itu sendiri. Rumusan masalahnya:, Pertama, Bagaimana pengaturan persyaratan cuti kampanye bagi kepala daerah incumbent dalam UU Nomor 10/2016 ? Kedua, Apa kelebihan dan kelemahan adanya pengaturan persyaratan cuti kampanye bagi kepala daerah incumbent dalam pilkada? Penelitian ini adalah penelitian yuridis-normatif dengan menggunakan dua pendekatan yaitu pendekatan kasus dan pendekatan perundang-undangan. Penelitian ini menyimpulkan, bahwa pertama pasal 70 ayat (3) UU 10/2016 telah menimbulkan problematika hukum. Kedua, terdapat kelebihan dan kelemahan terhadap aturan cuti kampanye. Salah satu kelebihannya ialah untuk membatasi kekuasaan kepala daerah agar tidak terjadi penyalahgunaan kekuasaan, sedangkan salah satu kelemahannya bahwa kewajiban untuk cuti dapat merugikan hak kepala daerah incumbent untuk bekerja menuntaskan amanah rakyat hasil pemilihan langsung serta merugikan rakyat pemilih.
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