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A possible mechanism for emphysema secondary to smoking involving the inhibition of tissue contraction during repair is investigated by treating cultured fibroblast with cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Results reveal that CSE inhibited fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction in vitro by a mechanism that involves fibronectin. Among the components of CSE that mediate this inhibition of collagen contraction are the volatile components acrolein and acetaldehyde.

Abstract: Metal mesh devices were developed with a greater sensitivity at 10 THz than at 1 THz. Detection of a biotin– streptavidin combination was tested using these devices operating at 40 THz to evaluate their high-sensitivity capability. Experimental results showed that the combination was clearly detected label-free by a red spectral shift, indicating the possibility of using these metal mesh devices for medical inspections. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The activity of 12 antibiotics, piperacillin, cefazolin, cefotiam, ceftizoxime, latamoxef, ceftazidime, cefuzonam, amikacin, ofloxacin, imipenem, aztreonam and minocycline, against 120 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was examined. In addition, the efficacy of antibiotics against single-, double-, or triple-drug-resistant isolates of P. aeruginosa were also examined to determine the cross-resistance to each drug. There was cross-resistance between piperacillin, ceftazidime and aztreonam, but amikacin and imipenem remained effective antibiotics, especially as salvage therapy, against isolates resistant to one agent. Results also suggested that piperacillin, ceftazidime or imipenem in combination with amikacin are effective combination regimens against most clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa. Amikacin and imipenem were also suitable antibiotics, especially as salvage therapy, against isolates of P. aeruginosa resistant to two agents. In conclusion, the results provide useful guidelines for choosing an effective treatment against clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, and for choosing salvage therapy against resistant P. aeruginosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We devised an index to estimate the degree cross-resistance between piperacillin, ceftazidime, sulbactam/cefoperazone, amikacin, tobramycin, carumonam and imipenem against 139 separate clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A negative value of the index indicated the cross-resistance whereas a positive value suggested the converse making the device an index for the absence of cross resistance (ACR). Using the ACR index, we identified pairs of antibiotics exhibiting the least degree of cross-resistance and therefore the highest potential for treating infections due to P. aeruginosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]