Simultaneous isolation of MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using a novel selective and differential PMAC agar

PMAC agar, a novel, selective and differential medium has been developed and was subjected for evaluation of its selective and differential capability of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from other bacteria such as Bacillus, Micrococcus, Gram-negative bacteria and drug resistant ones. Growth of MRSA and P. aeruginosa on PMAC agar was facilitated and their colonies were easily differentiated. Colonies of MRSA after 24 approximately 48 h incubation at 35 degrees C were small (2 to 4 mm in diameter), smooth and egg-yolk reaction positive. On the other hand, P. aeruginosa with pigment production (pyocianin, fluorescin or pyomelanin) formed large (2.5 to 7.0 mm in diameter), brownish black or brown colonies with a creamy edge. PMAC agar did not allow to grow unwanted bacteria tested except certain species formerly classified to Pseudomonas such as Burkholderia and Stenotrophomonas. However multi-drug resistant strains such as Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia marcescens and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus formed extremely small colonies. PMAC agar is recommended as a novel, useful medium for isolation, differentiation and presumptive identification of MRSA and P. aeruginosa from clinical and environmental sources.     

Materials Design of Cr-Based Half-Metallic Ferromagnets

Electronic band-structure of zinc-blende (zb) chromium monopnictides, CrP, CrAs, and CrSb, as well as chalcopyrite-type CrGeP₂ is studied comparatively by using first-principles density-functional calculations. It is found that the ferromagnetic state is energetically favorable for all these materials. Both zb-CrAs and CrSb are predicted to be half-metallic, while the spin-polarization at the Fermi-level is quite small for zb-CrP and CrGeP₂. Highly spin-polarized electronic band-structures in zb-CrAs and CrSb are almost unaffected, even if the spin-orbit interaction is taken into account.     

Acidic and basic gas adsorption properties in composites of layered double hydroxide/aluminosilicate xerogels

Composites of Mg-Al LDH and ASG were prepared by various methods, and their acidic and basic gas adsorption properties were investigated by CO₂ and NH₃ gas TPD. Of the various preparation methods, composite samples prepared by precipitation of LDH in an ASG sol solution showed a superior adsorption for both acidic and basic gases. The adsorption was higher than the arithmetic mean of the LDH, which mainly adsorbs acidic gas and the ASG, which mainly adsorbs basic gas. These composites could be good candidates as adsorbents and deodorants for the simultaneous uptake of acidic and basic adsorbates, i.e. materials with dual function adsorption properties.     

Electropolymerization and characterization of terpyridinyl iron (II) and ruthenium (II) complexes

Electroactive 2,2′: 6,2″-terpyridinyl ligands ( 3, 5, 6 ) and their iron(II) ( 7a–9a ) and ruthenium(II) complexes ( 7b–9b ) were synthesized. Bis[3-(aminophenyl)-2,2′ :6,2″-terpyridinyl]metal(II) complexes ( 7a, 7b ) and bis[2-(hydroxyphenyl)-2,2′ :6,2″-terpyridinyl]metal(II) complexes ( 8a, 8b ) were electropolymerized on to the surface of Pt or In-SnO₂ (ITO) electrodes in acetonitrile containing Bu₄NCIO₄ by scanning the potential between O and + 1.6V (for 7a and 7b ), and ?0.8 and +1.6V (for 8a and 8b ) versus saturated calomel electrode. The electrodes obtained by electropolymerization exhibited reversible electrochromism based on Fe(II)/Fe(III) or Ru(II)/Ru(III) redox couple. Photoresponses to visible light were found in the modified electrode obtained by electropolymerization of ruthenium complex 7b in an aqueous LiClO₄ solution containing methylviologen (cation MV²⁺) under an O₂ atmosphere. The mechanism for the photoresponded cathodic current was explained in terms of an excitation of bis(terpyridinyl)ruthenium(II) complex [Ru(terpy)²₂⁺] by visible light, an electron transfer from the excited state [Ru(terpy)^2+*₂] to MV²⁺, reduction of Ru(terpy)³⁺₂ at an electrode, and oxidation of MV^+* with O₂.     

Apnoea and oximetric desaturation in patients receiving epidural morphine after gastrectomy: a comparison of intermittent bolus and patient controlled administration

The number of apnoeic episodes and arterial oxygen desaturations were measured preoperatively and for sixty hours postoperatively in twenty ASA status 1-2 patients scheduled for elective gastrectomy. Monitoring included continuous pulse oximetry, respiratory inductive plethysmography and repeated arterial blood gas analysis. The number and magnitude of apnoeas and desaturation episodes were compared between two postoperative analgesic regimens of epidural morphine; intermittent bolus injection (Group B, n = 10), and patient controlled administration with continuous infusion (Group P, n = 10). Morphine dose, P(a)CO2 and mean SpO2 values were similar between the two groups. Although the number of central apnoeas with SpO2 < 90% was greater in Group B, other episodes of apnoea or desaturation were similarly seen preoperatively. In the postoperative period, central apnoeas with SpO2 < 90% were significantly increased in Group B, while no change was seen in Group P. Apnoeas with SpO2 < 80% were only seen in Group B. We conclude from these results that postoperative apnoeas and episodic desaturations are greatly influenced by the different modes of opioid administration.     

Preparation of modified styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers having different physical structures and their adsorption characteristics of nonionic surfactants

Several α-oxoethylated and α-hydroxyethylated styrene-divinylbenzene (St-DVB) resins having different degrees of crosslinking and porosity were prepared and their adsorption behaviour toward a nonionic surfactant, decaethyleneglycol nonylphenyl monoether, was investigated. The increment of the adsorption capacity caused by the introduction of the α-hydroxyethyl groups was remarkable in the less crosslinked resin. The α-hydroxyethylated resin derived from the St-DVB resin synthesized with 10 vol.-% DVB and 100 – 120 vol.-% of 2,2,4-trimethylpentane showed the highest capacity among the resins tested. The significance of both macroporosity and gel porosity in the effective adsorption of the nonionic surfactant was elucidated. A column operation using proposed resins was carried out and versatility was evaluated in terms of the breakthrough capacity.     

Interactions between medium-chain and long-chain triacylglycerols in lipid and energy metabolism in growing chicks

The combined effects of dietary medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCT) and long-chain triacylglycerols (LCT) on lipid and energy utilization in chicks were investigated. Corn oil was used as the LCT source, and trioctanoin (8∶0) was used as the MCT source. The efficiency of dietary energy utilization (such as metabolizable energy values and fat and energy retention) decreased linearly as the level of MCT increased, but the efficiency of dietary protein utilization (protein retained per protein consumed) was not affected in a consistent manner. Fecal saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid composition was dependent on the dietary fatty acid composition, whereas fecal linoleic acid content was not. It is concluded that dietary MCT and LCT influence each other to some degree, with respect to protein and lipid metabolism in chicks. Moreover, in most cases, the nutritional characteristics of each triacylglycerol, including food efficiency and fat and energy retention, are independent of each other in growing chicks.     

Fabrication of organic nanocrystals for electronics and photonics

We have presented a simple technique for the fabrication of nanocrystals of organic molecules and polymers and have shown that it is possible, using the liquid-phase technique, to fabricate organic nanocrystals ranging in size from 10 nm to 1 μm by manipulating the preparative conditions. In particular, nanocrystals of poly(4-BCMU) ranging from 20 nm to 350 nm were prepared by controlling the preparation conditions. The main advantages of the liquid-phase technique are the practicality and suitability of the technique for a wide range of materials. The fabrication of organic nanocrystals, though at a very early stage, seems a promising approach for producing low-dimensional organic materials and, like inorganic nanocrystals, another important objective for future study would be to incorporate organic nanocrystals into a variety of inorganic and organic media. It is hoped that extensive work will be done on organic nanocrystals to evaluate their potential for electronics and photonics.     

Microphase separated structure and blood compatibility of segmented poly(urethaneureas) with different diamines in the hard segment

The properties, structures and blood compatibility by platelet adhesion and deformation of segmented poly(urethaneureas) (SPUU's) with various aliphatic diamine chain extenders were investigated. The SPUU's containing diamines with an odd number of methylene units showed a remarkable degree of phase mixing between the hard and soft segments. I.r. spectra of SPUU's indicated that the state of hydrogen bonding depended on the number of methylene units in the diamine. XPS measurements revealed that the surface concentration of soft segment was independent of diamine structure but the state of microphase separation strongly depended on the number of methylene units in the diamine. The SPUU's with an even number of methylene units in the diamines showed less platelet adhesion and deformation than those with an odd number of methylene units in the diamines.     

Fibrous polyaniline as positive active material in lithium secondary batteries

Fibrous polyaniline (f-PANI) has displayed a maximum discharge capacity of 164 A h kg⁻¹, a low rate of self-discharge, and a long life as a positive active material in a secondary lithium battery.