Extended-spectrum Beta-lactamase detection with different panels for automated susceptibility testing and with a chromogenic medium.

Infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)- and ampC beta-lactamase-producing gram-negative bacteria complicate therapy and limit treatment options. Several different panels for ESBL detection with automated systems exist. In addition, a chromogenic agar medium is available for ESBL screening.

Fatal aortic dissection in a patient with a family history of Marfan syndrome.

Background: Marfan syndrome has great genotypic and phenotypic variability. Marfan syndrome patients face an increased risk of maternal and fetal complications during and after pregnancy.

Case: A 5-ft, 4-in-tall 40-year-old gravida 4 para 2 with a family history of Marfan syndrome presented 4 days after spontaneous vaginal delivery with sudden onset of shortness of breath, air hunger, syncope, and collapse, with resultant asystole.

Detailing the role of Bax translocation, cytochrome c release, and perinuclear clustering of the mitochondria in the killing of HeLa cells by TNF.

Induction of cell death in HeLa cells with TNF and cycloheximide (CHX) required an adequate ATP supply and was accompanied by decrease in intracellular pH, translocation of Bax, perinuclear clustering of the mitochondria, and cytochrome c release. The chloride channel inhibitor furosemide prevented the intracellular acidification, the translocation of Bax and the cell death. Cyclosporin A (CyA) or bongkrekic acid (BK) inhibited the induction of the MPT, the release of cytochrome c and the cell death without affecting the perinuclear clustering of the mitochondria or the translocation of Bax.

Myths of the high medical cost of old age and dying.

This report challenges commonly held beliefs about the financial and medical impact of older Americans during their last months of life. Written by physicians specializing in geriatrics, the report offers a wealth of data to refute seven misconceptions that currently influence U.S.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and protein kinase B (AKT) pathways involved in spinal cord stimulation (SCS)-induced vasodilation.

Background And Aims: SCS is used to improve peripheral circulation in selected patients with ischemia of the extremities. However the mechanisms are not fully understood. The present study investigated whether blockade of ERK and AKT activation modulated SCS-induced vasodilation.

CXCL9, but not CXCL10, promotes CXCR3-dependent immune-mediated kidney disease.

Chemokines are instrumental in macrophage- and T cell-dependent diseases. The chemokine CCL2 promotes kidney disease in two models of immune-mediated nephritis (MRL-Fas(lpr) mice and the nephrotoxic serum nephritis model), but evidence suggests that multiple chemokines are involved. For identification of additional therapeutic targets for immune-mediated nephritis, chemokine ligands and receptors in CCL2-/- and wild-type (WT) MRL-Fas(lpr) kidneys were profiled.

Roles of dorsal column pathway and transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 in augmentation of cerebral blood flow by upper cervical spinal cord stimulation in rats.

Clinical and basic studies have indicated that upper cervical spinal cord stimulation (cSCS) significantly increases cerebral blood flow (CBF), but the mechanisms are incompletely understood. This investigation was conducted to differentiate between stimulation of dorsal column fibers and upper cervical spinal cord cell bodies in cSCS-induced increases in CBF and decreases in cerebrovascular resistance (CVR). cSCS (50 Hz, 0.

The presence of capsule in Cryptococcus neoformans influences the gene expression profile in dendritic cells during interaction with the fungus.

The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of polysaccharide capsule on the gene expression in dendritic cells (DC) during their interaction with Cryptococcus neoformans. To this end, we used an encapsulated virulent strain of C. neoformans and a cap59 gene-disrupted acapsular avirulent strain derived from the same genetic background.

Growth and survival of Enterobacter sakazakii in human breast milk with and without fortifiers as compared to powdered infant formula.

Enterobacter sakazakii infections often involve debilitated neonates consuming contaminated reconstituted powdered infant formula. There is the possibility that expressed human breast milk can become contaminated with E. sakazakii in the hospital or home setting and through the use of contaminated breast milk fortifiers.

Intraesophageal chemicals enhance responsiveness of upper thoracic spinal neurons to mechanical stimulation of esophagus in rats.

Esophageal hypersensitivity is one of the most common causes of noncardiac chest pain in patients. In this study, we investigated whether exposure of the esophagus to acid and other chemical irritants affected activity of thoracic spinal neurons responding to esophageal distension (ED) in rats. Extracellular potentials of single thoracic (T3) spinal neurons were recorded in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized, -paralyzed, and -ventilated male rats.

Foodborne spread of hepatitis A: Recent studies on virus survival, transfer and inactivation.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is responsible for considerable morbidity and economic losses worldwide, and is the only reportable, foodborne viral pathogen in Canada. Outbreaks caused by it occur more frequently in settings such as hospitals, daycare centres, schools, and in association with foods and food service establishments. In recent years, the incidence of hepatitis A has increased in Canada.

Human T cells that are able to produce IL-17 express the chemokine receptor CCR6.

Some pathways of T cell differentiation are associated with characteristic patterns of chemokine receptor expression. A new lineage of effector/memory CD4+ T cells has been identified whose signature products are IL-17 cytokines and whose differentiation requires the nuclear receptor, RORgammat. These Th17 cells are critical effectors in mouse models of autoimmune disease.

Office-based screening, prevention, and management of diabetic foot disorders.

Diabetic foot problems are significant cause of morbidity. With good medical care, the progression of neuropathy and vascular disease can be slowed but not stopped. Effective diabetic foot care requires screening to detect the at-risk foot, prevention to avoid the occurrence of ulcers, and treatment to heal ulcers quickly before they become more significant problems.

How much time do physicians spend providing care outside of office visits?

Background: People with chronic illness require care outside of office visits, much of which is not reimbursed under current Medicare guidelines.

Objective: To describe the amount of time geriatricians spend and the nature of care they provide outside of office visits.

Design: Cross-sectional study on the time spent by physicians in clinical interactions outside of patient visits during 3 randomly sampled, 1-week periods.

Prevention of upper aerodigestive tract cancer in zinc-deficient rodents: inefficacy of genetic or pharmacological disruption of COX-2.

Zinc deficiency in humans is associated with an increased risk of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancer. In rodents, zinc deficiency predisposes to carcinogenesis by causing proliferation and alterations in gene expression. We examined whether in zinc-deficient rodents, targeted disruption of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 pathway by the COX-2 selective inhibitor celecoxib or by genetic deletion prevent UADT carcinogenesis.

Neuromodulation of thoracic intraspinal visceroreceptive transmission by electrical stimulation of spinal dorsal column and somatic afferents in rats.

Unlabelled: Clinical studies have shown that neuromodulation therapies, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), reduce symptoms of chronic neuropathic and visceral pain. The neural mechanisms underlying SCS and TENS therapy are poorly understood. The present study was designed to compare the effects of SCS and TENS on spinal neuronal responses to noxious stimuli applied to the heart and esophagus.

Prevalence and molecular characterization of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. in dairy cattle in Ontario, Canada.

Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. are intestinal protozoan parasites that infect a wide range of host species, including humans. Molecular characterization of these parasites has demonstrated that a number of genotypes and species are common to both humans and animals, and that zoonotic transmission may occur.

Human noroviruses in swine and cattle.

Human noroviruses are the predominant cause of foodborne gastroenteritis worldwide. Strains of norovirus also exist that are uniquely associated with animals; their contribution to the incidence of human illness remains unclear. We tested animal fecal samples and identified GIII (bovine), GII.

Spinal cord stimulation modulates activity of lumbosacral spinal neurons receiving input from urinary bladder in rats.

The aim of this study was to determine whether spinal cord stimulation (SCS) modulates activity of lumbosacral spinal neurons receiving input from the urinary bladder. Extracellular potentials of L6-S2 spinal neurons were recorded in pentobarbital anesthetized, paralyzed and ventilated male rats. SCS (50 Hz, 0.

Rapid and sensitive detection of hepatitis A virus in representative food matrices.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is an important cause of foodborne disease worldwide. The detection of this virus in naturally contaminated food products is complicated by the absence of a reliable culture method, low levels of contamination, and the presence of matrix-associated compounds which inhibit molecular detection. In this study, we report a novel method to concentrate HAV from foods prior to the application of reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) for detection.

Inhalation of a pulmonary irritant modulates activity of lumbosacral spinal neurons receiving colonic input in rats.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether an intraspinal nociceptive pathway from the lungs modulated activity of spinal neurons that also received afferent input from the colon. Extracellular potentials of single lumbosacral (L6-S2) spinal neurons were recorded in pentobarbital-anesthetized, paralyzed, and ventilated male rats. The lower airways and lungs were irritated by injecting ammonia vapor over a 30% NH(4)OH solution into the inspiratory line of the ventilator (0.

Effects of spinal cord stimulation on peripheral blood circulation in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Objective.  The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on peripheral circulation in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Materials and Methods.

Roles of peripheral terminals of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 containing sensory fibers in spinal cord stimulation-induced peripheral vasodilation.

Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is used to relieve ischemic pain and improve peripheral blood flow in selected patients with peripheral arterial diseases. Our previous studies show that antidromic activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) containing sensory fibers importantly contributes to SCS-induced vasodilation.

Objectives: To determine whether peripheral terminals of TRPV1 containing sensory fibers produces vasodilation that depends upon the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and nitric oxide (NO) during SCS.

An overview of microbial food safety programs in beef, pork, and poultry from farm to processing in Canada.

Canada's vision for the agri-food industry in the 21st century is the establishment of a national food safety system employing hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) principles and microbiological verification tools, with traceability throughout the gate-to-plate continuum. Voluntary on-farm food safety (OFFS) programs, based in part on HACCP principles, provide producers with guidelines for good production practices focused on general hygiene and biosecurity. OFFS programs in beef cattle, swine, and poultry are currently being evaluated through a national recognition program of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Gastrocardiac afferent convergence in upper thoracic spinal neurons: a central mechanism of postprandial angina pectoris.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to examine whether gastric afferent information converged onto upper thoracic spinal neurons that received noxious cardiac input. Extracellular potentials of single upper thoracic (T3) spinal neurons were recorded in pentobarbital-anesthetized, paralyzed, ventilated male rats. Gastric distension (GD) (20, 40, 60 mm Hg, 20 seconds) was produced by air inflation of a latex balloon surgically placed in the stomach.