Endotracheal Tube Cuff Pressures in Patients Intubated Prior to Helicopter EMS Transport.

Introduction: Endotracheal intubation is a common intervention in critical care patients undergoing helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) transportation. Measurement of endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff pressures is not common practice in patients referred to our service. Animal studies have demonstrated an association between the pressure of the ETT cuff on the tracheal mucosa and decreased blood flow leading to mucosal ischemia and scarring.

Genetic diversity among Enterococcus faecalis.

Enterococcus faecalis, a ubiquitous member of mammalian gastrointestinal flora, is a leading cause of nosocomial infections and a growing public health concern. The enterococci responsible for these infections are often resistant to multiple antibiotics and have become notorious for their ability to acquire and disseminate antibiotic resistances. In the current study, we examined genetic relationships among 106 strains of E.

Pyruvate oxidase is a determinant of Avery's rough morphology.

In pioneering studies, Avery et al. identified DNA as the hereditary material (A. T.

DNA inversion on conjugative plasmid pVT745.

Plasmid pVT745 from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans strain VT745 can be transferred to other A. actinomycetemcomitans strains at a frequency of 10(-6). Screening of transconjugants revealed that the DNA of pDMG21A, a pVT745 derivative containing a kanamycin resistance gene, displayed a structural rearrangement after transfer.

PCR-based ordered genomic libraries: a new approach to drug target identification for Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Described here are the development and validation of a novel approach to identify genes encoding drug targets in Streptococcus pneumoniae. The method relies on the use of an ordered genomic library composed of PCR amplicons that were generated under error-prone conditions so as to introduce random mutations into the DNA. Since some of the mutations occur in drug target-encoding genes and subsequently affect the binding of the drug to its respective cellular target, amplicons containing drug targets can be identified as those producing drug-resistant colonies when transformed into S.

Parameters associated with cloning in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.

Characterization of virulence traits in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans requires the application of recombinant DNA techniques. To develop appropriate genetic tools it is necessary to identify suitable host-vector systems. The current study assessed cloning parameters in A.

Presence of Histamine in the Bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix.

Consumption of bluefish ( Pomatomus saltatrix ) has been epidemiologically implicated and confirmed by laboratory analyses as a cause of scombroid food poisoning. An examination of marketable bluefish filets in the State of Connecticut found over 6.5% of the filets had histamine levels indicative of decomposition.