The morphology of the pygidial glands and the chemical composition of their secretions of four sphodrine ground beetle species (Carabidae: Platyninae).

Ground beetles possess a pair of pygidial glands that produce and release secretions that play an important role in defense against predators. The morphology of these glands and the chemical composition of their products were studied in four species of the tribe Sphodrini: Calathus (Calathus) fuscipes (Goeze, 1777), C. (Neocalathus) cinctus Motschulsky, 1850, C. (N.) melanocephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Laemostenus (Antisphodrus) elongatus (Dejean, 1828). The morphological analyzes of the glands of the four taxa mentioned were carried out for the first time using bright-field and nonlinear microscopy. All morphological structures were precisely measured and photographed. The pygidial gland secretions of C. (C.) fuscipes and L. (A.) elongatus were analyzed for the first time using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 30 compounds were detected from the extracts of pygidial gland secretions of the four Sphodrini species studied. The simplest chemical mixture was found in L. (A.) elongatus, while the most complex secretion was that of C. (C.) fuscipes. 1-Undecanol, which we were able to detect in all taxa examined here, and dodecyl butyrate, which was detected in the three Calathus species, have never before been detected in the secretions of ground beetles.

Chemistry and morphology of the pygidial glands in four Pterostichini ground beetle taxa (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Pterostichinae).

Morphology of the pygidial glands and chemical composition of their secretions in adults of four ground beetle representatives of the Pterostichini tribe (Coleoptera: Carabidae) were analysed. Molops (Stenochoromus) montenegrinus, Pterostichus (Cophosus) cylindricus, P. (Feronidius) melas and P. (Pseudomaseus) nigrita were chemically tested, while the latter three species were morphologically investigated. Pterostichus (C.) cylindricus, P. (P.) nigrita and M. (S.) montenegrinus were chemically studied for the first time. Altogether, 23 chemical compounds were isolated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), of which some are new for Pterostichini or even Carabidae. Methacrylic acid was present in all species analysed. It was predominant in the secretion extract of P. (C.) cylindricus and P. (F.) melas. Isobutyric and 2-methylbutyric acids were the major components in the secretion of M. (S.) montenegrinus. Undecane, methacrylic and tiglic acids were the main components in the secretion of P. (P.) nigrita. The simplest chemical mixture was found in P. (C.) cylindricus (two compounds), while the most complex one was detected in P. (P.) nigrita (15 compounds). No significant differences in the chemical composition of the pygidial gland secretions were evidenced in P. (C.) cylindricus sampled from the same area and in the same season in two different years. Morphology of the pygidial glands of the studied species was analysed for the first time. Morphological features of the pygidial glands were observed using bright-field microscopy and nonlinear microscopy and described in details.

[Use of antibiotics in otorhinolaryngologic practice]. / Upotreba antibiotika u otorinolaringoloskoj praksi.

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated utilization of antibacterial agents at the Ear, Nose and Throat Department of the Outpatient Service of the Health Center Novi Sad-Liman and at the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic of the Clinical Center Novi Sad, in the period February-March 2001. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All antibacterial agents were classified as group J, regarding Anatomic-Therapeutic-Chemical Classification. Data on drug utilization were presented in Defined Daily Doses (DDD). Patients who were under observation were all treated with antibiotics. RESULTS: In regard to prescribed treatment in the Ear, Nose and Throat Department of the Outpatient Service of the Health Center Novi Sad-Liman, most outpatients were treated with macrolide antibiotics--in 26.21%; combination of penicillin and beta-lactamase inhibitors in 20.83% and pyranosides in 16.12%. At the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic of the Clinical Center Novi Sad, macrolides and lincosamines were most frequently used--in 20.46%; cephalosporins in 19.87% and penicillins susceptible to beta-lactamase in 18.85%. It is extremely positive and in agreement with current pharmacotherapeutic principles that in both institutions peroral ampicillins have not been prescribed. Aminoglycosides have been prescribed in less than 1% of patients of the Ear, Nose and Throat Department of the Outpatient Service of the Health Center Novi Sad-Liman, whereas they were much more frequently prescribed at the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic of the Clinical Center Novi Sad--in 11.25%. Although there is a positive postantibiotic effect in regard to these antibiotics and it is recommended to use them once a day, in both examined institutions aminoglycosides were given twice a day. In regard to bacterial identification it was done in 80.76% of patients of the Ear, Nose and Throat Department of the Outpatient Service of the Health Center Novi Sad-Liman, while in the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic of the Clinical Center Novi Sad it was done only in 32.42%. CONCLUSIONS: Although treatment performed on empirical basis and clinical findings is usually correct, a greater percentage of antibiotic prescriptions should be confirmed by antibiograms providing optimal therapy and decreased degree of resistance.

[Aminoglycoside antibiotics and post-antibiotic effects]. / Aminoglikozidni antibiotici i postantibiotski efekat.

INTRODUCTION: Man has been fighting diseases for centuries. One of the major battles is against microorganisms and diseases they cause. A health education course was organized on prescribing aminoglycoside antibiotics and postantibiotic effect. The aim of the course was to change the prescription habits in our colleagues. The postantibiotic effect of aminoglycoside antibiotics as well as impact of subinhibiting doses on duration of postantibiotic effect requires modification of previous therapeutic protocols. Single daily dose has the same or even greater effect than multiple daily doses. The toxicity of aminoglycosides is not increased and remains the same or smaller in single daily regimens. RESULTS: The single daily dose regimen of aminoglycosides has been used in 63.6% of cases in Clinic for Infectious Diseases of the Clinical Center of Novi Sad, 41.2% in Outpatient Health Care Center of Novi Sad "Liman" and this regimen has not been used in General Practice Department, Children's Health Care Department and Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic at all. The twice daily regimen has been used instead. CONCLUSION: Doctors are aware of the postantibiotic effect, but vast majority are still bound to their old habits in regard to prescribing antibiotics. Our educational course failed to achieve its goal.