Functional and immunologic protein S levels are decreased during pregnancy

Protein S, is a natural anticoagulant protein which serves as a cofactor for activated protein C. During pregnancy and in the postpartum period, functional protein S levels are significantly reduced (38% +/- 17.3%, mean +/- 1 SD) when compared to nonpregnant females (97% +/- 31.6%) (P less than 0.001). In plasma an equilibrium exists between functionally active free protein S and protein S complexed with C4b-binding protein, which is functionally inactive. As a result of this equilibrium either a decreased level of total protein S antigen or an elevation of C4b-binding protein could lead to reduced protein S activity. C4b-binding protein levels measured by enzyme- linked immunoassay are not significantly different in pregnant women versus nonpregnant controls (103.5% +/- 21.2% v 100% +/- 16.9%). However, during pregnancy and in the postpartum period, total protein S levels are reduced (68% +/- 10.7%) compared to nonpregnant controls (100% +/- 17.0%). This difference is significant at P less than 0.001. These data demonstrated that the reduction in protein S activity observed during pregnancy is a result of reduced total protein S antigen.     

OXA-253, a Variant of the Carbapenem-Hydrolyzing Class D β-Lactamase OXA-143 in Acinetobacter baumannii

The carbapenem-hydrolyzing class D β-lactamase OXA-253 was identified in an Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolate belonging to sequence type 113 (ST113) in Brazil. OXA-253 shares 93.8% amino acid identity with OXA-143. The bla_OXA-253 gene is located on a ca. 20-kb plasmid. The genetic environment of the bla_OXA-253 gene shares the highest identity with ubiquitous GR2 group plasmids usually carrying bla_OXA-24/-40 genes.     

Characterization of novel VIM carbapenemase,VIM-38, and first detection of GES-5 carbapenem-hydrolyzing β-lactamases in Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Turkey

Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were collected form a Turkish hospital. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed using the Vitek 2 Compact system, and 24 isolates were categorized as multidrug resistant (n = 18), extensively-drug resistant (n = 5), or pan-drug resistant (n = 1). PCR and DNA sequence analysis revealed that 1 strain possessed the bla_GES-5 and another carried a novel bla_VIM variant, named VIM-38. This new gene exhibited 1 amino acid substitution (Ala265Val) in comparison to its closest variant, VIM-5. Both VIM encoding genes were clones and demonstrated similar susceptibility profile when expressed in identical background. The presence of VIM-38 increases the diversity of carbapenemases in Turkey.     

Seagulls and Beaches as Reservoirs for Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli

A variety of extended-spectrum β-lactamase–producing Escherichia coli isolates, with a high rate of cefotaximase-15 resistance, were identified in seagull feces from Porto, Portugal, beaches. Beaches may therefore present a risk to public health because of the potential pathogen-spreading capacity of migratory birds.     

Evaluation of Etest® strips for detection of KPC and metallo-carbapenemases in Enterobacteriaceae

The performance of Etest KPC and MBL strips (bioMérieux) was evaluated as compared to other phenotypic tests for detecting carbapenemases of the KPC-type and metallo-β-lactamases, respectively, on 133 well-characterized enterobacterial isolates. KPC and meropenem-containing MP/MPI Etest had high sensitivity (>92 %) and specificity (>97 %).     

Social adversity predicts ADHD‐medication in school children – a national cohort study

Aims: To test the hypothesis that psychosocial adversity in the family predicts medicated ADHD in school children. Method: ADHD‐medication during 2006 was identified in the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register in national birth cohorts of 1.1 million 6–19 year olds. Logistic regression models adjusted for parental psychiatric disorders were used to test our hypothesis. Results: There was a clear gradient for ADHD medication with level of maternal education, with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.20 (2.04–2.38) for the lowest compared with the highest level. Lone parenthood and reception of social welfare also implied higher risks of ADHD‐medication with adjusted ORs of 1.45 (1.38–1.52) and 2.06 (1.92–2.21) respectively. Low maternal education predicted 33% of cases with medicated ADHD and single parenthood 14%. Conclusions: Social adversity in the family predicts a considerable proportion of ADHD‐medication in school children in Sweden.     

Tödliche Nitrosegas-Vergiftung beim Schweißen im engen Kessel

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