Implementation of a multi-modal intervention adopting new technologies, clinical services, and feedback improves catheter-associated urinary tract infections.

Objectives: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are a significant cause of morbidity and financial burden to healthcare systems. The aim of this study was to develop and implement a program designed to reduce Foley catheter use days and associated CAUTI rates.

Methods: A retrospective evaluation of a multi-modal program aimed toward reducing Foley catheter use days and associated CAUTI rates across the Indiana University Health (IUH) system was conducted.

The MuSK-BMP pathway maintains myofiber size in slow muscle through regulation of Akt-mTOR signaling.

Myofiber size regulation is critical in health, disease, and aging. MuSK (muscle-specific kinase) is a BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) co-receptor that promotes and shapes BMP signaling. MuSK is expressed at all neuromuscular junctions and is also present extrasynaptically in the mouse soleus, whose predominantly oxidative fiber composition is akin to that of human muscle.

The MuSK-BMP pathway maintains myofiber size in slow muscle through regulation of Akt- mTOR signaling.

Myofiber size regulation is critical in health, disease, and aging. MuSK (muscle-specific kinase) is a BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) co-receptor that promotes and shapes BMP signaling. MuSK is expressed at all neuromuscular junctions and is also present extrasynaptically in the slow soleus muscle.

Hand hygiene feedback impacts compliance.

Background: Health care-acquired infections are one of the top causes of mortality in the United States (Stone, 2009; Scott, 2009). Hand hygiene (HH) can reduce the incidence of such infections. Adherence to HH practices remains challenging for health care workers (World Health Organization, 2014).

Multiple MuSK signaling pathways and the aging neuromuscular junction.

The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is the vehicle for fast, reliable and robust communication between motor neuron and muscle. The unparalleled accessibility of this synapse to morphological, electrophysiological and genetic analysis has yielded an in depth understanding of many molecular components mediating its formation, maturation and stability. However, key questions surrounding the signaling pathways mediating these events and how they play out across the lifetime of the synapse remain unanswered.

Increased stiffness is the major early abnormality in a pig model of severe aortic stenosis and predisposes to congestive heart failure in the absence of systolic dysfunction.

Background: It remains unclear whether abnormal systolic function and relaxation are essential for developing heart failure in pathophysiology of severe aortic stenosis.

Methods And Results: Yorkshire pigs underwent surgical banding of the ascending aorta. The animals were followed for up to 5 months after surgery, and cardiac function was assessed comprehensively by invasive pressure-volume measurements, 3-dimensional echocardiography, echocardiographic speckle-tracking strain, and postmortem molecular and histological analyses.

Stem cell factor gene transfer improves cardiac function after myocardial infarction in swine.

Background: Stem cell factor (SCF), a ligand of the c-kit receptor, is a critical cytokine, which contributes to cell migration, proliferation, and survival. It has been shown that SCF expression increases after myocardial infarction (MI) and may be involved in cardiac repair. The aim of this study was to determine whether gene transfer of membrane-bound human SCF improves cardiac function in a large animal model of MI.

Hospitals learn their collective power: an isolation gown success story.

Background: We describe an investigation and improvement project designed to provide comfortable, affordable, fluid-resistant isolation gowns in response to inadequate compliance with gown use.

Methods: Infection control and purchasing departments determined number of gowns used, cost/gown, and contract information for our laundry service. We investigated disposable gown options.