Quantification of fluorotelomer-based chemicals in mammalian matrices by monitoring perfluoroalkyl chain fragments with GC/MS.

Perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), namely perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), have been identified as persistent, bioaccumulative and potentially toxic compounds. The structural analog, 8-2 fluorotelomer alcohol (8-2 fTOH) is considered the probable precursor of these stable metabolites. Because simultaneous quantification is needed for volatile and non-volatile perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in complex matrices, a GC/MS method was developed and tested based on selected ion monitoring of perfluorinated alkyl parent chain fragment ions.

Fumonisin production and bioavailability to maize seedlings grown from seeds inoculated with Fusarium verticillioides and grown in natural soils.

The fungus Fusarium verticillioides infects maize and produces fumonisins. The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of F. verticillioides to produce fumonisins in synthetic and natural soils and their biological availability to maize roots.

Rabies virus glycoprotein as a carrier for anthrax protective antigen.

Live viral vectors expressing foreign antigens have shown great promise as vaccines against viral diseases. However, safety concerns remain a major problem regarding the use of even highly attenuated viral vectors. Using the rabies virus (RV) envelope protein as a carrier molecule, we show here that inactivated RV particles can be utilized to present Bacillus anthracis protective antigen (PA) domain-4 in the viral membrane.

Comparison of Listeria monocytogenes virulence in a mouse model.

Listeriosis results from exposure to the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Although many different strains of L. monocytogenes are isolated from food, no definitive tests currently predict which isolates are most virulent.

A behavioral and cognitive profile of clinically stable HIV-infected children.

Objective: The purpose of this research was to characterize behavioral and cognitive profiles of clinically and immunologically stable antiretroviral-experienced HIV-infected children.

Methods: Two hundred seventy-four previously treated HIV-infected children aged 2 to 17 years were assessed for behavioral, developmental, and cognitive functioning. Correlations between neuropsychological measures, age, and CD4 lymphocyte count were investigated.

The origin of epithelial neoplasms after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

We analyzed five women, who have developed epithelial neoplasms after sex-mismatched stem cell transplants. Using in situ hybridization for sex chromosome-specific DNA probes and immunohistochemistry we identified the origin of the tumor cells. We conclude that none of the non-hematologic malignancies was of donor origin.

The Professor of Public Psychiatry Model in Ohio: the impact on training, program innovation, and the quality of mental health care.

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and five of Ohio's University-based Departments of Psychiatry have developed strong working partnerships that have improved the quality of psychiatric residency education and Ohio's mental health services. Strategies integral to Ohio's Public Psychiatry Model include identifying a strong champion, integrating expert consultation, and developing consensus expectations using a small amount of catalytic funding. Successful outcomes include the establishment of public psychiatry leadership roles in Ohio's community and academic settings; positive community-focused residency training experiences; revised curricula; and spin-off opportunities, such as "Coordinating Centers of Excellence" to accelerate adoption of evidence-based practices in community settings.

Story theory: advancing nursing practice scholarship.

Stories are a fundamental dimension of human experience and nursing practice. Story theory describes a narrative happening that occurs through intentional nurse-person dialogue. Seven inquiry phases are associated with story theory, including gathering the story, reconstructing the story, connecting it to the literature, naming the complicating health challenge, describing the story plot, identifying movement toward resolving, and gathering additional stories.

Enhanced humoral HIV-1-specific immune responses generated from recombinant rhabdoviral-based vaccine vectors co-expressing HIV-1 proteins and IL-2.

Recombinant rabies virus (RV) vaccine strain-based vectors expressing HIV-1 antigens have been shown to induce strong and long-lasting cellular but modest humoral responses against the expressed antigens in mice. However, an effective vaccine against HIV-1 may require stronger responses, and the development of such an immune response may depend on the presence of certain cytokines at the time of the inoculation. Here, we describe several new RV-based vaccine vehicles expressing HIV-1 Gag or envelope (Env) and murine IL-2 or IL-4.

Development and application of a quantitative RT-PCR potency assay for a pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RotaTeq).

A sensitive and reproducible method to determine the in vitro infectious potency of a pentavalent reassortant rotavirus vaccine (RotaTeq) has been developed as an alternative to classical potency assays. Potency was determined based on cell-based viral replication followed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-QPCR) analysis. In the assay, confluent Vero cell monolayers in 96-well plates were inoculated with serial dilutions of test samples, a pentavalent reassortant rotavirus reference standard and assay controls, followed by incubation for 24h.

Blood lead levels in children after phase-out of leaded gasoline in Bombay, India.

The objective of this study was to test for reduction in pediatric blood lead levels (BLLs) in Bombay, India, by comparing BLLs collected in 2002 (after use of leaded gasoline was phased out in Bombay) to those collected in a study conducted by the George Foundation in 1997 (when leaded gasoline was still used in Bombay). We analyzed BLL in a total of 754 children under 12 years of age in two separate sampling campaigns (276 from December 2002 to January 2003 [non-monsoon season]; 478 in June to August 2003 [monsoon season]). BLL was measured using an ESA Lead Care Portable Analyzer.

I just want to be normal: a qualitative study exploring how children and adolescents view the impact of intractable epilepsy on their quality of life.

This qualitative study explores how children and adolescents with medically refractory seizures experience the impact of epilepsy on their quality of life (QOL) within the domains of physical, emotional/behavioral, social, and cognitive/academic function. Semi-structured, open-ended interviews were conducted with 49 participants (7-18 years old). These narratives constituted our data source.

Campylobacter rectus mediates growth restriction in pregnant mice.

Background: Recent studies have suggested that subclinical infection may be an important cause of low birth weight. Campylobacters are important human pathogens, causing septicemia and occasionally abortion, premature labor, or severe perinatal infection. The potential role of oral species of Campylobacter in mediating adverse pregnancy outcomes in animal models has not yet been determined.

Diagnosis and treatment of dermatitis due to formaldehyde resins in clothing.

An increasing number of cases of allergic contact dermatitis secondary to formaldehyde resins used for textile finishes have been seen in our office over the last several years. Although previously reported to be more common in women, we have seen almost as many men as we have seen women with this condition, possibly because men are more likely to be occupationally sensitized to formaldehyde. We have found that patch-test reactions of only questionable strength may be clinically relevant.

Epithelial expression of profibrotic mediators in a model of allergen-induced airway remodeling.

Airway remodeling, including subepithelial fibrosis, is a characteristic feature of asthma and likely contributes to the pathogenesis of airway hyperresponsiveness. We examined expression of genes related to airway wall fibrosis in a model of chronic allergen-induced airway dysfunction using laser capture microdissection and quantitative real-time PCR. BALB/c mice were sensitized and subjected to chronic ovalbumin exposure over a 12-wk period, after which they were rested and then harvested 2 and 8 wk after the last exposure.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of stavudine in HIV-infected pregnant women and their infants: Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group protocol 332.

This study evaluates the safety, tolerance, and pharmacokinetics of stavudine (d4T) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected zidovudine (ZDV)-intolerant/refusing pregnant women and of single-dose d4T in their infants. Women received d4T and lamivudine (3TC) from enrollment until labor. During labor, women received oral 3TC and either intravenous or oral d4T.

Eye infections due to Listeria monocytogenes in three cows and one horse.

A retrospective study was conducted to determine case histories, microbiological characteristics, and molecular subtypes associated with Listeria monocytogenes infections of the eye in large animals. For selected cases, environmental L. monocytogenes contamination patterns on case farms were also evaluated to probe for potential sources and spread of listerial eye infections.