Implementing daily chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing in VA settings: The human factors engineering to prevent resistant organisms (HERO) project.

Background: Daily use of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) has been shown to reduce risk of healthcare-associated infections. We aimed to assess moving CHG bathing into routine practice using a human factors approach. We evaluated implementation in non-intensive care unit (ICU) settings in the Veterans Health Administration.

Implementing daily chlorhexidine gluconate treatment for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections in non-intensive care settings: A multiple case analysis.

Introduction: Daily bathing with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) in hospitalized patients reduces healthcare-associated bloodstream infections and colonization by multidrug-resistant organisms. Achieving compliance with bathing protocols is challenging. This non-intensive care unit multicenter project evaluated the impact of organizational context on implementation of CHG and assessed compliance with and healthcare workers' perceptions of the intervention.

The impact of chlorhexidine gluconate on the skin microbiota of children and adults: A pilot study.

We examined the effect of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing on the skin microbiota of adult and pediatric patients. We observed no differences in pediatric patients; however, multiple genera of bacteria were observed to be significantly less abundant in the adults bathing with CHG. Further research is needed to determine the long-term impact of CHG use on the skin microbiota.

Implementation in the midst of complexity: Using ethnography to study health care-associated infection prevention and control.

Background: Contextual factors associated with health care settings make reducing health care-associated infections (HAIs) a complex task. The aim of this article is to highlight how ethnography can assist in understanding contextual factors that support or hinder the implementation of evidence-based practices for reducing HAIs.

Methods: We conducted a review of ethnographic studies specifically related to HAI prevention and control in the last 5 years (2012-2017).

A study of iridectomy histopathologic features of latanoprost- and non-latanoprost-treated patients.

Objectives: To examine the histopathologic features of iridectomy specimens from patients undergoing glaucoma surgery and to compare histologic abnormalities in a group of patients with a history of latanoprost therapy with those in a group of patients who had no history of prostaglandin therapy (controls).

Methods: Iridectomy specimens and patient history forms were submitted to the central Latanoprost Pathology Center. These were independently examined by 3 ophthalmic pathologists in a masked fashion.

Iris melanocyte numbers in Asian, African American, and Caucasian irides.

Purpose: The anatomical basis for iris color has long been a controversial issue in ophthalmology. Recent studies demonstrated that in Caucasians, blue-eyed, gray-eyed, and hazel-eyed individuals have comparable numbers of iris melanocytes. The present investigation was carried out to compare melanocyte numbers in the irides of Asian, African American, and Caucasian brown-eyed individuals.

Toxicity and dose-response studies of 1-alpha hydroxyvitamin D2 in LH-beta-tag transgenic mice.

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of a vitamin D analog, 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D(2) (1alpha-OH-D(2)), in inhibiting retinoblastoma in a transgenic retinoblastoma model (LHbeta-Tag mouse) and to evaluate its toxicity.

Design: Experimental study using an animal (LHbeta-Tag transgenic mouse) randomized (controlled) trial.

Participants And Controls: Two hundred seventeen LHbeta-Tag transgene-positive 8- to 10-week-old mice total; 179 drug-treated animals, 38 control animals.

Toxicity and dose-response studies of 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2 in LH beta-Tag transgenic mice.

Purpose: The study objective is to determine the effectiveness of a vitamin D analogue, 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2 (1 alpha-OH-D2), in inhibiting retinoblastoma in a transgenic retinoblastoma model (LH beta-Tag mouse) and to evaluate its toxicity. Previous studies of 1 alpha-OH-D2 in athymic mice with human retinoblastoma xenografts suggested efficacy in tumor suppression and suitability for human treatment.

Methods: LH beta-Tag mice (N = 142), 8 to 10 weeks old, were randomly assigned to treatment groups receiving either control (vehicle) or 0.

Vitamin D analogs, a new treatment for retinoblastoma: The first Ellsworth Lecture.

Purpose: This lecture honors the memory of Dr. Robert M. Ellsworth, an important figure in the development of current treatments of retinoblastoma (RB), and reviews our studies of vitamin D analogs as treatments for retinoblastoma in two experimental mouse models.

Toxicity and dose-response studies of 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D2 in a retinoblastoma xenograft model.

Background: Although calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol) and vitamin D(2) inhibit retinoblastoma growth in the athymic (nude) mouse xenograft (Y-79 cell line) model of retinoblastoma, they can cause severe toxicity.

Objective: To examine the toxicity of and dose-dependent response for the inhibition of tumor growth for 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D(2) (1alpha-OH-D(2)), an analogue with reduced systemic toxicity, in the athymic Y-79 mouse model.

Methods: Mice were randomized into treatment and control groups for 5-week toxicity and dose-response studies.

Effect of latanoprost on hair growth in the bald scalp of the stump-tailed macacque: a pilot study.

Latanoprost, a selective FP prostanoid receptor agonist used in the treatment of glaucoma, has a hypertrichotic side effect. Using the macaque model of androgenetic alopecia, we examined the effect of latanoprost on hair growth. Eight monkeys were divided into 2 groups; one group received a daily topical application of 50 microg/ml of latanoprost for 5 months; a control group had a daily application of vehicle.