A novel chronic and detachable indwelling jugular catheterization procedure for mice

SHV-6 was previously identified by its susceptibility pattern and biochemical criteria in a clinical isolate of Klebsiella pneumoniae which was resistant to ceftazidime. It contains only a single point difference with the beta laSHV-1 gene as determined by PCR amplification and nucleotide sequencing. This is the result of a single amino acid substitution, Ala for Asp, at position 179. Directed mutagenesis experiments have shown this substitution to confer selective resistance to ceftazidime in the TEM family.     

Molecular basis for the stabilization and inhibition of 2, 3-dihydroxybiphenyl 1,2-dioxygenase by t-butanol

The steady-state cleavage of catechols by 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl 1, 2-dioxygenase (DHBD), the extradiol dioxygenase of the biphenyl biodegradation pathway, was investigated using a highly active, anaerobically purified preparation of enzyme. The kinetic data obtained using 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl (DHB) fit a compulsory order ternary complex mechanism in which substrate inhibition occurs. The Km for dioxygen was 1280 +/- 70 microM, which is at least 2 orders of magnitude higher than that reported for catechol 2,3-dioxygenases. Km and Kd for DHB were 22 +/- 2 and 8 +/- 1 microM, respectively. DHBD was subject to reversible substrate inhibition and mechanism-based inactivation. In air-saturated buffer, the partition ratios of catecholic substrates substituted at C-3 were inversely related to their apparent specificity constants. Small organic molecules that stabilized DHBD most effectively also inhibited the cleavage reaction most strongly. The steady-state kinetic data and crystallographic results suggest that the stabilization and inhibition are due to specific interactions between the organic molecule and the active site of the enzyme. t-Butanol stabilized the enzyme and inhibited the cleavage of DHB in a mixed fashion, consistent with the distinct binding sites occupied by t-butanol in the crystal structures of the substrate-free form of the enzyme and the enzyme-DHB complex. In contrast, crystal structures of complexes with catechol and 3-methylcatechol revealed relationships between the binding of these smaller substrates and t-butanol that are consistent with the observed competitive inhibition.     

Experimental investigation of ultrashort pulse laser-inducedbreakdown thresholds in aqueous media

Laser-induced breakdown (LIE) thresholds are determined for pulse durations of 2.4 ps, 400 fs, and 100 fs at 580 mn in high purity water, saline and tap water. The dependence of LIE irradiance thresholds on pulse duration, optical wavelength, and focal volume is examined, and the experimental data obtained is compared with a theoretical model. The slopes of the probability curves calculated are compared with mechanisms for LIE, namely avalanche ionization, multiphoton initiated avalanche ionization, and multiphoton ionization. Lastly, the dependence of the peak breakdown electric field on pulse duration and focal volume is empirically determined and compared with previous work     

Magnetic characteristics of Ya?argil aneurysm clips

BACKGROUND: Metallic bioimplants are subject to great scrutiny in order to ensure that they are totally harmless to patients. Aneurysm clips are no exception to this rule. Considering the number of aneurysm clips used and their potential for injury, they should be evaluated very meticulously. Determining the magnetic characteristics of these clips is an important part of the evaluation process. In this study, a new method for evaluating magnetism is described and the importance of that information is briefly discussed. METHODS: Twenty Ya?argil aneurysm clips were analyzed using a vibrating sample magnetometer under 1.5 Tesla. This device is highly sensitive, and is capable of measuring the magnetism of small objects. RESULTS: Our measurements showed magnetism of the aneurysm clips ranged from 0.0334-0.1369 electromagnetic units (emu). CONCLUSIONS: Magnetometer measurements and real life tests under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have shown that these clips have a very low magnetism and are safe to use in 1.5 Tesla MRI scanners. This study also proves that the vibrating sample magnetometer is a useful device for analyzing the magnetism of aneurysm clips, and their emu values can be used as another industry standard in the production line to increase the safety of these clips.     

Skilled iv therapy clinicians' product evaluation of open-ended versus closed-ended valve PICC lines: a cost savings clinical report

The IV therapy clinician team at Florida Hospital has become active product selectors of IV therapy materials for the institution. It is recognized for its expertise, experience, and knowledge in IV therapy. As end users of many IV therapy products, members are well-qualified to act as principal product selectors of these patient care items. These clinicians identified costly problems with the performance of a conventional open-ended peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) product being used. A market search for a better product was done and the Bard Groshong closed-ended valve PICC (Bard Access Systems, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT) was selected. These PICCs were used for a 6-week trial period. The 58 inserted Groshong closed-ended valve PICCs were compared with the last 58 open-ended PICCs inserted. Greater quality assessment was apparent in its performance. A substantial cost savings of 21% also was achieved by using the Groshong closed-ended valve PICCs. A clinical report comparing these two products was presented to the value analysis committee. The validated superior performance of the Groshong closed-ended valve PICC with the cost savings for the 6-week trial period won the committee's approval and the change was made to the Groshong closed-ended valve PICC.     

Amebic meningoencephalitis caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris: case report and review

Balamuthia mandrillaris, formerly referred to as a leptomyxid ameba, is a free-living ameba that has recently been identified as a cause of meningoencephalitis. Previously, only two genera, Naegleria and Acanthamoeba, were recognized as causes of central nervous system (CNS) infections in humans. In contrast to Naegleria, Balamuthia causes a subacute-to-chronic infection of the CNS. Distinct from Acanthamoeba, which appears to favor the immunocompromised host, Balamuthia is capable of infecting both healthy and immunosuppressed hosts. Retrospective analyses as well as an accumulation of newly identified cases have demonstrated that this ameba is an increasingly important pathogen to recognize. We report the isolation, histopathologic features, and confirmation by indirect immunofluorescence of B. mandrillaris in a case of fatal amebic meningoencephalitis.     

Choosing to sever or maintain association induces biased impression formation.

Impression formation should be biased in individuals who decide to maintain or sever association because they desire to form impressions that support their decision. Because such individuals also should wish to appear objective, decision-supporting information should be irrelevant to obvious reasons for the decision ( e.g., a target's social stigma ) . Accepting the veracity of the target's stereotype-irrelevant attributes supports the decision and also can seem objective, although such processing is biased. In 2 experiments, participants were induced to choose or were assigned to maintain or sever association with an alleged fellow participant. Participants who chose to maintain or sever association used biased processes. In the 2nd experiment, the effect of choice on participants' communicated impressions was mediated by biased processes. The relation of this work to dissonance theory and implications for prejudice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)