The status of antimicrobial resistance of Helicobacter pylori in eastern Europe.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the primary, secondary and combined resistance to five antimicrobial agents of 2340 Helicobacter pylori isolates from 19 centers in 10 countries in eastern Europe. METHODS: Data were available for centers in Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Slovenia and Turkey. Susceptibility was tested by agar dilution (seven countries), E test (five countries) and disk diffusion (three countries) methods. Resistance breakpoints (mg/L) were: metronidazole 8, clarithromycin 1, amoxicillin 0.5, tetracycline 4, and ciprofloxacin 1 or 4 in most centers. Primary and post-treatment resistance was assessed in 2003 and 337 isolates respectively. Results for 282 children and 201 adults were compared. RESULTS: Primary resistance rates since 1998 were: metronidazole 37.9%, clarithromycin 9.5%, amoxicillin 0.9%, tetracycline 1.9%, ciprofloxacin 3.9%, and both metronidazole and clarithromycin 6.1%. Isolates from centers in Slovenia and Lithuania exhibited low resistance rates. Since 1998, amoxicillin resistance has been detected in the southeastern region. From 1996, metronidazole resistance increased significantly from 30.5% to 36.4%, while clarithromycin resistance increased slightly from 8.9% to 10.6%. In centers in Greece, Poland, and Bulgaria, the mean metronidazole resistance was slightly higher in adults than in children (39% versus 31.2%, P > 0.05); this trend was not found for clarithromycin or amoxicillin (P > 0.20). Post-treatment resistance rates exhibited wide variations. CONCLUSIONS: In eastern Europe, primary H. pylori resistance to metronidazole is considerable, and that to clarithromycin is similar to or slightly higher than that in western Europe. Resistance to amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline was detected in several centers. Primary and post-treatment resistance rates vary greatly between centers.

Double-level "orthogonal" dynamic combinatorial libraries on transition metal template.

Dynamic combinatorial libraries are mixtures of compounds that exist in a dynamic equilibrium and can be driven to compositional self adaptation via selective binding of a specific assembly of certain components to a molecular target. We present here an extension of this initial concept to dynamic libraries that consists of two levels, the first formed by the coordination of terpyridine-based ligands to the transition metal template, and the second, by the imine formation with the aldehyde substituents on the terpyridine moieties. Dialdehyde 7 has been synthesized, converted into a variety of ligands, oxime ethers L(11)-L(33) and acyl hydrazones L(44)-L(77), and subsequently into corresponding cobalt complexes. A typical complex, Co(L(22))(2)(2+) is shown to engage in rapid exchange with a competing ligand L(11) and with another complex, Co(L(22))(2)(2+) in 30% acetonitrile/water at pH 7.0 and 25 degrees C. The exchange in the corresponding Co(III) complexes is shown to be much slower. Imine exchange in the acyl hydrazone complexes (L(44)-L(77)) is strongly controlled by pH and temperature. The two types of exchange, ligand and imine, can thus be used as independent equilibrium processes controlled by different types of external intervention, i.e., via oxidation/reduction of the metal template and/or change in the pH/temperature of the medium. The resulting double-level dynamic libraries are therefore named orthogonal, in similarity with the orthogonal protecting groups in organic synthesis. Sample libraries of this type have been synthesized and showed the complete expected set of components in electrospray ionization MS.

Utilization of local anesthesia by Arkansas dental hygienists, and dentists' delegation/satisfaction relative to this function.

PURPOSE: Given the legalization of administration of local anesthesia as an expanded function for dental hygienists in Arkansas, the purpose of this study was to 1) describe the utilization of local anesthesia in dental hygiene care; 2) compare the utilization of local anesthesia by dental hygienists certified in the administration of local anesthesia and those who were not; 3) determine if there was a difference in attitude toward the use of local anesthesia for dental hygiene procedures between dental hygienists certified in the expanded function versus those not certified; 4) determine if and to what degree employers delegate this procedure to certified employees; and 5) compare employer satisfaction with this expanded function for those who employed a certified dental hygienist and those who did not. METHODS: Surveys were sent to all Arkansas dental hygienists certified, as of June 1998, to administer local anesthesia as well as an equal random sample of Arkansas dental hygienists not certified in the expanded function. The dentist employers of these dental hygienists also were asked to complete a companion survey. These surveys included demographic items as well as questions about the demand for and utilization of local anesthesia by dental hygienists. Additionally, the surveys included an opinionnaire section concerning attitudes toward and perceptions of the administration of local anesthesia by dental hygienists. RESULTS: An overall response rate of 31% (n = 182) was achieved for the survey of the dental hygienist sample (n = 580). Forty-one percent of the surveys (n = 118) were returned by the dental hygienists certified in the administration of local anesthesia, while 22% (n = 64) of the surveys were returned by those not certified in the function. An approximate response rate of 25% (n = 146) was achieved for the surveys of the dentist employers. Findings indicate that the respondents perceived local anesthesia as beneficial for both dental hygiene patients and clinicians. Arkansas dental hygienists and dentists reported that this function had a positive impact on scheduling, production, patient satisfaction and comfort, and quality of care. Furthermore, more than nine out of 10 of the dentist respondents were satisfied with their dental hygienists local anesthesia skills and/or would encourage their uncertified dental hygienists to become certified. Dental hygienists certified in the function reported utilizing this technique moderately to fully for patient care, particularly for those in practices with greater numbers of periodontally involved patients. Certified dental hygienists also viewed local anesthesia as contributing to the quality of patient care and necessary for dental hygiene procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study provide evidence that local anesthesia benefits dental hygiene patients and clinicians. Both Arkansas dental hygienists and dentists viewed this expanded function as necessary for provision of quality dental hygiene care. The dentist employers of certified dental hygienists reported that the function had a positive impact on scheduling, production, patient satisfaction and comfort, and quality of care.

[The insecto-fungicidal preparation, gaupsin, isolated from Pseudomonas aureofaciens strains]. / Insektofungitsidnyi preparat gaupsin na osnove shtammov Pseudomonas aureofaciens.

The integrated insectofungicidal preparation Gaupsin was developed on the basis of the Pseudomonas aureofaciens strains UKM V-111, which is active against bacterial and fungal phytopathogens, and UKM V-306, active against codling moth larvae. Gaupsin is an effective means for protection of orchards against moths and fungi. A method for production of Gaupsin in the liquid form with a titer of not less than 1 x 10(10) cells/ml under aeration conditions was elaborated. After spraying, the preparation remained on apple leaves for seven days. The efficiency of Gaupsin against codling moth was 88-94%. The effect of a fungal attack decreased 10 to 25-fold.

A cytologic study of oral mucosal cell alterations in smokeless tobacco users and efficacy of a related cessation program.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of the study was to determine if oral tissue changes, as documented by cytologic study and reported to the smokeless tobacco user, provide incentive to discontinue use of smokeless tobacco products. METHOD: Smokeless tobacco users who presented for treatment in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences dental hygiene clinic served as the 10 subjects of this one-year study. Calibrated dental hygiene faculty collected cellular specimens from the oral mucosa of subjects at the site of smokeless tobacco placement and a clear site as control. Specimens were collected by a moistened tongue blade scrape, then fixed, stained, and diagnosed by faculty in the department of pathology. Subjects participated in a cessation program: a standardized session in which results of the cytologic findings and risks of smokeless tobacco usage were discussed, using visuals and pamphlets. The subjects, with the exception of the last, were contacted at three- and six-month intervals to determine their compliance with cessation recommendations. RESULTS: Three of the 10 subjects displayed significant tissue changes; these subjects discontinued smokeless tobacco use. The cytologic studies of the other seven subjects revealed only various amount of hyperkeratosis. CONCLUSION: Cytologic assessment and results may be a valuable component of a smokeless tobacco cessation program. This area merits further research.

Reactivity of the horseradish peroxidase compounds I and II toward organometallic substrates. A stopped-flow kinetic study of oxidation of ferrocenes.

Reactivity of horseradish peroxidase compounds I and II (HRP-I and HRP-II) toward organometallicic substrates, viz water-soluble ferrocenes RFc (R = COOH and CH2NMe2), has been studied at 25 degrees C, pH 6.0 and ionic strength 0.1 M. The second-order rate constants k2 for the reaction of HRP-I with FcCOOH and FcCH2NMe2 equal (1.00 +/- 0.04) x 10(6) and (0.27 +/- 0.01) x 10(6) M-1 s-1, respectively. The values of k3 for the reaction of HRP-II with FcCOOH and FcCH2NMe2 equal (1.1 +/- 0.1) x 10(4) and (0.25 +/- 0.01) x 10(4) M-1 s-1, respectively. The steady-state kinetic study of the HRP-catalyzed oxidation of the ferrocenes by H2O2 under the same conditions gave the second-order rate constants of (0.94 +/- 0.03) x 10(4) and (0.24 +/- 0.06) x 10(4) M-1 s-1 for FcCOOH and FcCH2NMe2, respectively, which are in a good agreement with k3. The results reported here confirm the proposal that the rate-limiting step of the steady-state oxidation of ferrocenes is the electron transfer from the substrate to HRP-II.

Omeprazole, nitrendipine, famotidine and stress-induced ulcers.

BACKGROUND: Omeprazole inhibits gastric acid secretion by blocking the proton pump of the gastric parietal cell. Nitrendipine is a derivative of the dihydropyridine group of calcium channel blockers and administrated for angina and hypertension. Famotidine is one of the newer histamine H2-receptor antagonists and heals gastric and duodenal ulcers by reducing gastric acid output. OBJECTIVES: The healing effects of omeprazole, nitrendipine and famotidine on stress-induced gastric ulcers were investigated in rats. METHODS: Forty male Wistar-albino rats were separated into five groups (n = 8), a control (non-stress) and four experimental (stress) groups. Experimental rats were treated with omeprazole, nitrendipine, famotidine or a placebo after the stresses of starvation and cold-restraint. RESULT: Macroscopically, the mean area of the affected lesional mucosa was 1/4 of the total gastric mucosa in the famotidine treated group and 1/5 of the total gastric mucosa in the nitrendipine treated group. A considerably decrease was observed in the omeprazole treated group in which the mean area of the lesional mucosa was only in 1/8 of the total gastric mucosa. On microscopic examination, congestive vessels and chronic inflammatory cell infiltrates were significantly reduced in the omeprazole treated group. Tissue regeneration was more prominent in the omeprazole group than the other groups. CONCLUSION: Omeprazole was found to be superior in terms of the effect on the healing process to nitrendipine and famotidine. Although therapeutic effects of nitrendipine and famotidine were observed, those were less than omeprazole.

In vitro NMR proton T1 measurements in peritoneal ascites.

The proton spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/T1) in malignant and non-malignant ascites was measured with an FT NMR spectrometer operating at 60 MHz. The mean relaxation rate in non-malignant ascites was significantly smaller than that of malignant ascites. However, the 1/T1 of malignant ascites overlaps with that of non-malignant ascites over all concentrations of total protein (TP) in samples. The 1/T1 in non-malignant ascites correlates strongly with TP, whilst the 1/T1 in malignant ascites shows only a moderate correlation. T1 measurements before and after addition of ascorbic acid (reductant) suggest that there is a small paramagnetic contribution of ions to the 1/T1 in malignant ascites. The least-squares fitting of 1/T1 versus TP for non-malignant data gives a linear relationship, and suggests that the T1 mechanism in non-malignant ascites is caused by a fast chemical exchange of water molecules between protein-bound water and free water.

Dental assisting experience as a predictor of dental hygiene academic performance.

PURPOSE: Selecting dental hygiene students who ultimately will be successful in their formal education and board examinations is critical to dental hygiene education and the profession. This study examined prior dental assisting experience as a predictor of performance during dental hygiene education as well as on licensure examinations. METHODS: The study included all 132 female students who graduated from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Department of Dental Hygiene, from 1989 through 1993. The prior assisting group (n = 43) consisted of students with at least six months of dental assisting experience as reported by the student and/or previous dentist employers. The nonassisting group (n = 89) had no dental assisting experience prior to admission. Student records were used to compile evaluative data for each subject including: prerequisite college science grade-point average (GPA); dental hygiene GPA at the end of the first year of the program; dental hygiene GPA at the end of the second year; combined GPA for the three semesters of clinical dental hygiene coursework; quality points for specific dental hygiene courses including preclinical dental hygiene instrumentation, dental hygiene clinic I, dental anatomy, and dental materials; and National Board Dental Hygiene Examination Scores and performance on the Southern Regional Board Examination. Student's t-test analysis was used to compare the prerequisite college science GPA for the assisting and nonassisting groups. Multivariate analysis was used for all other measures of comparison. RESULTS: Student's t-test analysis revealed no significant differences in terms of the prerequisite college science GPA as a control for this extraneous variable. The results of multivariate analysis demonstrated that the prior dental assisting group had significantly higher cumulative clinic GPAs as well as clinic I quality points. No significant differences were noted in first-year GPA, cumulative program GPA, dental materials, preclinical dental hygiene instrumentation, dental anatomy quality points, and national and regional board performance. CONCLUSIONS: Dental assisting experience was positively correlated with initial evaluation of clinical performance and with cumulative clinic GPA. This suggests that experience in the oral healthcare delivery system supports the students' clinical skill development. Because there were no significant differences observed on other performance measures, it can be concluded that prior dental assisting experience has a circumscribed predictive value relative to dental hygiene student performance.