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We experimentally demonstrate the concept of continuous variable quantum erasing. The amplitude quadrature of the signal state is labeled to another state via a quantum nondemolition interaction, leading to a large uncertainty in the determination of the phase quadrature due to the inextricable complementarity of the two observables. We show that by erasing the amplitude quadrature information we are able to recover the phase quadrature information of the signal state.

The molecular characterization of 16 clinical isolates of Salmonella enterica (14 serotype Typhimurium and 2 serotype Kingston) obtained between January and June 1999 from feces of children hospitalized in Iasi, Romania were genotypically compared by pulse field gel electrophoresis of XbaI restricted bacterial DNA. The majority of the clinical isolates (12/16) belonged to cluster A and (4/16) to unrelated strains, correlating to the OMP profile. Two major different patterns of beta-lactamases were identified: the first with pI of 5.4, 8.2 in 6/16 strains and the second with pI of 5.4 in 5/16. The blaTEM beta-lactamase was identified in 14/16 of the clinical isolates and the blaSHV-5 gene in one strain. We concluded that extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) with pIs of 8.2 was the most frequent enzyme produced by serotype Typhimurium isolates which were related.

The treatment of patients who consumed lethal doses of various organophosphorus compounds (OP) still remains a great challenge to clinical toxicologists. The oximes in combination with atropine and diazepam are an integral part of the treatment of acute intoxications with organophosphate. Treatment with atropine, which relieves the muscarinic effects of acetylcholine and anticonvulsive agents (diazepam) is well established. However, the effectiveness of oxime compounds in counteracting the effect of intoxication in still a matter of debate. Based on literature reports, opinions are presented concerning the role of oximes in the treatment of intoxications by various OP.

Background. Mechanical endurance of bones to acting forces is a result of geometrical properties, mineralisation and quality of the material they are built. Bone mineral density decrease influences lower bone mechanical endurance and its higher susceptibility on fractures. Among many factors that condition proper growth, development and repair processes of skeletal system, nervous system plays very important role in processes of bone metabolism regulation and its homeostasis maintenance. Bone fractures occurrence as a result of osteopenia and its fractures connected with peripheral nervous system injury require investigations of new and effective treatments that would guarantee correct repair processes of bone tissue and its physiological function maintenance. Material and methods. All investigation was performed on 16 turkeys divided into two groups. Right ulnae were subjected to denervation, osteotomy and osteosynthesis. The first group of turkeys served as control, the second group were administered alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) directly to crop at the dosage of 0.4g/kg b.w./day by 14 weeks, starting on the next day after surgery. After finishing breeding part of experiment, the influence of AKG on mineralisation, structural and mechanical properties of denervated and osteotomied ulna was investigated. Results. Performed investigations on ulna after its osteotomy and denervation elucidated different callus formation in turkeys belong to control group and receiving AKG. The positive influence of alpha-ketoglutarate administration on morphology, mineralisation and mechanical properties of experimentally osteotomied and denervated ulna was stated.Conclusions. Obtained results prove anabolic effect of alpha-ketoglutarate on bone tissue, after its administration via digestive tract. Considering increased mineralisation, higher volumetric cortical bone density and increased trabecular bone density, AKG can be utilised as a factor in prevention of osteopenia and osteoporosis. Achieved results indicate possibility of existence connection by AKG between digestive system and skeletal system.

We propose a quantum device that can approximate any projective measurement on a qubit-a quantum "multimeter." The desired measurement basis is selected by the quantum state of a "program register." Two different kinds of programs are considered and in both cases the device is optimized with respect to maximal average fidelity (assuming uniform distribution of measurement bases). Quantum multimeters exhibiting the covariance property are introduced and an optimal covariant multimeter with a single-qubit program register is found. Possible experimental realization of the simplest proposed device is presented.

Thirteen Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium and one Salmonella enterica serotype Heidelberg strain resistant to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins were isolated from October 2000 to February 2001 from infants with gastroenteritis in Iasi, Romania. In all but one serotype Typhimurium isolate, resistance was due to the production of a CMY-2 cephalosporinase encoded by a nonconjugative plasmid. The remaining isolate produced an SHV-5-type beta-lactamase. Typing by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis indicated that the CMY-2-producing serotype Typhimurium isolates were related.

'Mate' or 'Yerba mate' (Ilex paraguariensis, Aquifoliaceae) is a tonic and stimulant beverage widely used in South America. It is also traditionally used in gastrointestinal disorders as eupeptic and choleretic agent. Accordingly, the effect of decoctions of the leaves of I. paraguariensis and three of its substitutes or adulterants (Ilex brevicuspis, Ilex argentina and Ilex theezans) on bile flow (BF) and intestinal propulsion were investigated. I. paraguariensis and I. brevicuspis induced an increase in BF, while the latter also enhanced intestinal transit. In contrast, neither I. argentina nor I. theezans exerted any effect on BF or intestinal propulsion. These results suggest that the therapeutic properties of I. paraguariensis will be affected when at least an adulterant is present in the final commercial product of Yerba mate.

Objectives: To characterize the OMP profile and to study the possible interference with other resistance determinants., Material and Methods: 16 non-typhoidic Salmonella strains, isolated in 1999 from stools of pediatric patients, were selected according to their resistance phenotype: resistance to Ampicillin (AMP), Amoxycillin/Clavulanic Acid (AMC), and third generation cephalosporins: Ceftriaxone (CRO) and Ceftazidime (CAZ). Identification and sensitivity testing were done by DADE MicroScan System. beta-Lactamases were characterized by isoelectric focusing (IEF) with preformed minigelss. OMPs were studied on membrane preparations on SDS-urea gels., Results: Isoelectric points: Majority of the isolates had the association 5.4 +/- 7.6 (3/16) or 5.4 + 8.2 (6/16). The second beta-lactamase has the capacity to hydrolyse CAZ. We found three different patterns of OMPs: I: 30, 29 and 25 kDa; II: 30, 26 and 24 kDa; III: 30 and 25 kDa. We couldn't find any correlation between the OMPs profile and resistance phenotype, showing that the beta-lactamase production is the only resistant determinant., Conclusions: The study shows the high frequency of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ES beta LA) amongst the non-typhoidic Salmonella; association of TEM type and ES beta LA enzymes diminishes considerably the therapeutic resources: inhibitor associated combinations are non effective. In non-typhoidic Salmonella, porins seems to have no influence in co-modulation of resistance.

The aim of this study was to find a possible explanation for the resistance pattern of the selected strains and to evaluate the impact in case of isolating such strains. During the period February-March 1998, in the Pediatric Hospital "Sf. Maria" from Iasi, Romania, 12 non-typhoidic Salmonella strains, non-duplicates were isolated from stools of newborns and, in one case, from mother as well. Identification was done by standard methods, and sensitivity testing by disk diffusion method, against the following antimicrobials: Ampicillin (A), Amoxycilin/Clavulanic Acid (AMC), Tetracycline (T), Streptomycin (S), Cloramphenicol (C), Nalidixic Acid (NA), Ciprofloxacin (CIP), Cephalotin (KF), Cefuroxime (CXM), Ceftriaxone (CRO), Cefotaxime (CTX), Ceftazidime (CAZ), Aztreonam (AZT), Imipenem (IPM), Amikacin (AK). All strains showed resistance to: A, AMC, T, S, C, NA, CRO, CAZ, CXM, CTX, KF except one strain, CTX and CRO sensitive. The possible explanation is the production of an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESbLA), detected by microbiological methods (Masuda and clover-leaf). Resistance transfer was realised by using the previously described method. In conjugation experiments we have obtained only one transconjugant, identified as E. coli, that has acquired all resistance determinants. This report highlights on the isolation of multiresistant non-typhoidic Salmonella strains in hospitalised patients without previous antibiotic treatment and possibility of detecting such strains by being aware of the correlation: resistance phenotype-resistance mechanism.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, ceftibuten and aztreonam against the clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae. MICROORGANISMS: A total of 973 enterobacteria isolated from clinical material (urine and faeces) were tested. Strains were collected during 1996-1998 period, in some centers of Eastern Romania. SENSITIVITY STUDY: MICs were performed using the agar dilution method following standardized techniques (NCCLS, 1994). Stock solutions of antibacterial agents were prepared from their respective powder forms, in concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 128 mg/ml. Our results show a good activity of the tested antimicrobials on Escherichia coli, Shigella spp and Klebsiella spp tested, and reveal a particular behaviour for Salmonella spp, characterized by a heterogenous susceptibility. In conclusion, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, ceftibuten and aztreonam were active at low concentrations against tested isolates. Against Salmonella spp, these agents were less active: percent of resistant strains by beta-lactamase production was significant.

A high proportion of parainfluenza, herpes, adenovirus and chlamydial antigens (10.7-36%) was detected by indirect immunofluorescence in cells exfoliated in the vagina of women with genital neoplasia and with uterine cervix ectopia and dysplasia. Much lower proportions of the same antigens were found in patients with common gynecopathies or recurrent genital herpes and in pregnant women. The possible relationships between chronic virus infections and genital neoplasia in women are discussed.