Complete genome sequence of the oral pathogenic Bacterium porphyromonas gingivalis strain W83.

The complete 2,343,479-bp genome sequence of the gram-negative, pathogenic oral bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis strain W83, a major contributor to periodontal disease, was determined. Whole-genome comparative analysis with other available complete genome sequences confirms the close relationship between the Cytophaga-Flavobacteria-Bacteroides (CFB) phylum and the green-sulfur bacteria. Within the CFB phyla, the genomes most similar to that of P.

The complete genome sequence of the Arabidopsis and tomato pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000.

We report the complete genome sequence of the model bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pathovar tomato DC3000 (DC3000), which is pathogenic on tomato and Arabidopsis thaliana. The DC3000 genome (6.5 megabases) contains a circular chromosome and two plasmids, which collectively encode 5,763 ORFs.

Food shopping practices are associated with dietary quality in low-income households.

ABSTRACT Nutrition education for low-income audiences often focuses on building skills in food shopping and food resource management to help families receive the best nutrition from the resources they have available. However, empirical evidence for the effect of food shopping practice on dietary quality has been limited. This article presents new analyses from two studies that found an association between food shopping practices and diet quality.

Complete genome sequence of the Q-fever pathogen Coxiella burnetii.

The 1,995,275-bp genome of Coxiella burnetii, Nine Mile phase I RSA493, a highly virulent zoonotic pathogen and category B bioterrorism agent, was sequenced by the random shotgun method. This bacterium is an obligate intracellular acidophile that is highly adapted for life within the eukaryotic phagolysosome. Genome analysis revealed many genes with potential roles in adhesion, invasion, intracellular trafficking, host-cell modulation, and detoxification.

Role of mobile DNA in the evolution of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis.

The complete genome sequence of Enterococcus faecalis V583, a vancomycin-resistant clinical isolate, revealed that more than a quarter of the genome consists of probable mobile or foreign DNA. One of the predicted mobile elements is a previously unknown vanB vancomycin-resistance conjugative transposon. Three plasmids were identified, including two pheromone-sensing conjugative plasmids, one encoding a previously undescribed pheromone inhibitor.

Complete genome sequence and comparative analysis of the metabolically versatile Pseudomonas putida KT2440.

Pseudomonas putida is a metabolically versatile saprophytic soil bacterium that has been certified as a biosafety host for the cloning of foreign genes. The bacterium also has considerable potential for biotechnological applications. Sequence analysis of the 6.

Measuring beneficiary knowledge in two randomized experiments.

This article reports results of two studies that measured beneficiaries' knowledge of the Medicare program and related health insurance options using pre- and post-experimental designs. Knowledge was measured using multiple item indexes before and after receiving new informational materials developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as part of the National Medicare Education Program (NMEP). Beneficiaries in both studies showed statistically significant gains in knowledge after receiving the new materials.

Genome sequence of the dissimilatory metal ion-reducing bacterium Shewanella oneidensis.

Shewanella oneidensis is an important model organism for bioremediation studies because of its diverse respiratory capabilities, conferred in part by multicomponent, branched electron transport systems. Here we report the sequencing of the S. oneidensis genome, which consists of a 4,969,803-base pair circular chromosome with 4,758 predicted protein-encoding open reading frames (CDS) and a 161,613-base pair plasmid with 173 CDSs.

The Brucella suis genome reveals fundamental similarities between animal and plant pathogens and symbionts.

The 3.31-Mb genome sequence of the intracellular pathogen and potential bioterrorism agent, Brucella suis, was determined. Comparison of B.

Complete genome sequence and comparative genomic analysis of an emerging human pathogen, serotype V Streptococcus agalactiae.

The 2,160,267 bp genome sequence of Streptococcus agalactiae, the leading cause of bacterial sepsis, pneumonia, and meningitis in neonates in the U.S. and Europe, is predicted to encode 2,175 genes.

Private sector unlikely to follow Medicare lead in providing health plan disenrollment comparisons.

Background: There have been substantial efforts to improve the measurement and reporting of comparative quality information. A three-stage effort to develop comparative voluntary disenrollment measures for private health insurance plans is described. The literature on disenrollment and how key groups might use disenrollment information is reviewed; the development of a comparative survey of disenrollment is described; reasons employers, purchasing coalitions, and plans were ultimately unwilling or unable to sponsor the survey are delineated; and implications of these findings are discussed.

Student responses to the gross anatomy laboratory in a medical curriculum.

Working with cadavers, whether through active dissection or by examination of prosected specimens, constitutes a potential stressor in medical education although there is no consensus on its effect. Some reports have suggested that it creates such a strongly negative experience that it warrants special curricular attention. To assess the issue for ourselves, we administered surveys to the freshman medical students taking the Anatomical Sciences course in the problem-based Alternative Curriculum (A.

A randomized controlled trial of filgrastim for the treatment of hospitalized patients with multilobar pneumonia.

This study assessed the safety and efficacy of filgrastim (r-metHuG-CSF [recombinant human methionine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor]), when combined with intravenous (IV) antibiotics, in the treatment of hospitalized adult patients with multilobar community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Four hundred eighty patients were randomized to receive placebo (n=243) or filgrastim 300 microg/day (n=237), in addition to standard therapy. Treatment with study drug was continued for 10 days, until the peak white blood cell (WBC) count reached 75x109/L, until discharge from the hospital, until death, or until IV antibiotics were discontinued.

Development of a survey of asthma knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions: the Chicago Community Asthma Survey. Chicago Asthma Surveillance Initiative Project Team.

Little is known about the general public's perception of the diagnosis of asthma and the impact of asthma on individuals, their families, and their communities. In addition, there appear to be no published survey instruments specifically designed to gain insights into how the general public perceives asthma. The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of such an instrument, the Chicago Community Asthma Survey (CCAS)-32.

Asthma care practices, perceptions, and beliefs of Chicago-area primary-care physicians. Chicago Asthma Surveillance Initiative Project Team.

Introduction: Although primary-care physicians were a principal target audience for the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP), there is little published information describing the postguideline asthma care practices of these physicians or their willingness to embrace the NAEPP guidelines. This study examines asthma care practices of Chicago-area primary-care physicians and assesses these practitioners' perceptions and beliefs about several aspects of the NAEPP guidelines.

Methods: In 1997, a self-administered survey was mailed to a randomly selected 10% sample of Chicago-area general pediatricians, internists, and family practitioners.

Prevalence and burden of illness for asthma and related symptoms among kindergartners in Chicago public schools.

Background: Asthma mortality rates in poor communities of Chicago are among the highest in the country. Possible explanations include increased asthma prevalence, increased severity, and suboptimal health care.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of asthma and asthma-related symptoms among inner-city kindergarten children, and to characterize their burden of illness, asthma-related health care access, and pharmacologic treatment.

Unethical and unprofessional conduct observed by residents during their first year of training.

Purpose: To present residents' personal observations of unethical and unprofessional conduct in medicine during their first year of training.

Method: Eight hundred and fifty-seven second-year residents who had previously participated in a study of perceived mistreatment as senior medical students were resurveyed by a three-tiered mail process concerning their experiences during their first postgraduate year, including their personal observations of four types of unethical and unprofessional conduct.

Results: Surveys were returned by 571 residents, for a response rate of 67%.

Physicians' perceptions of managed care: a structural equation model assessment of key dimensions.

Objectives: To assess the interrelationship of physicians' own interest with that of the methods and the anticipated benefits of managed care, the authors developed a new instrument to assess physician's perception of job satisfaction, risk, need to adapt their practice behavior, quality of care, cost of care, and access under managed care.

Methods: One hundred sixty-one attending physicians of an urban public hospital in a metropolitan area with low to moderate managed care penetration participated. A 24-item questionnaire with good psychometric properties was developed based on literature reviews, qualitative interviews with the key informants, and focus group discussion among a group of selected physician representatives.

Learning, satisfaction, and mistreatment during medical internship: a national survey of working conditions.

Context: Concerns about the working and learning environment of residency training continue to surface. Previous surveys of residents have focused on work hours and income, but have shed little light on how residents view their training experience.

Objective: To provide a description of the internship year as seen by a large cross section of second-year residents.