Human factors and usability of an incentive spirometer patient reminder (SpiroTimer™).

Introduction: To address the problem of incentive spirometry (IS) noncompliance, a use-tracking IS reminder device (SpiroTimer™) was developed. In a recent randomized clinical trial, the SpiroTimer™ improved IS use compliance, length of stay, and mortality. For successful, safe, and effective implementation of a new medical device, human factors and usability must be evaluated.

Effect of an Incentive Spirometer Patient Reminder After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Incentive spirometers (ISs) were developed to reduce atelectasis and are in widespread clinical use. However, without IS use adherence data, the effectiveness of IS cannot be determined.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a use-tracking IS reminder on patient adherence and clinical outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.

Financial Impact of Incentive Spirometry.

Despite largely unproven clinical effectiveness, incentive spirometry (IS) is widely used in an effort to reduce postoperative pulmonary complications. The objective of the study is to evaluate the financial impact of implementing IS. The amount of time nurses and RTs spend each day doing IS-related activities was assessed utilizing an online survey distributed to the relevant national nursing and respiratory therapists (RT) societies along with questionnaire that was prospectively collected every day for 4 weeks at a single 10-bed cardiothoracic surgery step-down unit.

Incentive Spirometry Adherence: A National Survey of Provider Perspectives.

Background: Patient adherence is a critical factor for success of patient-administered therapies, including incentive spirometry (IS). Patient adherence with IS is not known, so we sought to evaluate providers' perspectives on the current state of IS adherence and elucidate possible factors hindering patient adherence.

Methods: Respiratory therapists (RTs) and nurses across the United States were surveyed via social media and online newsletters.

Perspectives on Incentive Spirometry Utility and Patient Protocols.

Background: Incentive spirometry (IS) is widely used to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications, despite limited clinical effectiveness data and a lack of standardized use protocols. We sought to evaluate health care professionals' perspectives on IS effectiveness and use procedures.

Methods: An online survey was distributed via social media and newsletters to relevant national nursing and respiratory care societies.

Benthic bacterial diversity in submerged sinkhole ecosystems.

Physicochemical characterization, automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) community profiling, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing approaches were used to study bacterial communities inhabiting submerged Lake Huron sinkholes inundated with hypoxic, sulfate-rich groundwater. Photosynthetic cyanobacterial mats on the sediment surface were dominated by Phormidium autumnale, while deeper, organically rich sediments contained diverse and active bacterial communities.

Infections, toxic chemicals and dietary peptides binding to lymphocyte receptors and tissue enzymes are major instigators of autoimmunity in autism.

Similar to many complex autoimmune diseases, genetic and environmental factors including diet, infection and xenobiotics play a critical role in the development of autism. In this study, we postulated that infectious agent antigens such as streptokinase, dietary peptides (gliadin and casein) and ethyl mercury (xenobiotic) bind to different lymphocyte receptors and tissue enzyme (DPP IV or CD26). We assessed this hypothesis first by measuring IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies against CD26, CD69, streptokinase (SK), gliadin and casein peptides and against ethyl mercury bound to human serum albumin in patients with autism.

Enzyme-based therapy for autism spectrum disorders -- is it worth another look?

Autism is a developmental disease usually manifesting within the first three years of life. To date, no causative agent has been found. Similarly, treatment options have been limited.

Incidence of Simonsiella in the oral cavity of dogs.

The gliding bacterium Simonsiella (Cytophagales, Simonsiellaceae) was found in palate samples from 66 out of 67 dogs. It is considered a common resident in the oral cavities of dogs.

Dorsal-ventral differentiation in Simonsiella and other aspects of its morphology and ultrastructure.

The morphology and ultrastructure of the aerobic, Gram-negative multicellular-filamentous bacteria of the genus simonsiella were investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The flat, ribbon-shaped, multicellular filaments show dorsal-ventral differentiation with respect to their orientations to solid substrata. The dorsal surface, orientated away from the substrate, is convex and possesses an unstructured capsule.

Scanning electron microscopy of fruiting body formation by myxobacteria.

Scanning electron microscopy was used to follow fruiting body formation by pure cultures of Chondromyces crocatus M38 and Stigmatella aurantica. Vegetative cells were grown on SP agar and then transferred to Bonner salts agar for fructification. Fruiting in both species commences with the formation of aggregation centers which resemble a fried egg in appearance.

Filamentous cells of Escherichia coli formed in the presence of mitomycin.

The effects of mitomycin C on cell elongation of Escherichia coli B were studied. Filament formation was most marked in cultures treated with a moderate level (1 mug/ml) of the antibiotic, becoming less obvious at higher levels (10 mug/ml). Cells treated with a bacteriostatic concentration (0.

Ultrastructure of Lampropedia hyalina.

Pangborn, Jack (University of California, Davis), and Mortimer P. Starr. Ultrastructure of Lampropedia hyalina.

Studies on the release of lysosomal enzymes from kidney lysosomes.

Incubation of kidney lysosomes at 37 degrees results in a graded release of lysosomal enzymes. The release of enzyme occurs in two stages. First the enzymes become available to the substrate but remain sedimentable.

LAMINATED MEMBRANE SURFACE AND OSMIOPHILIC INCLUSIONS IN AVIAN LUNG EPITHELIUM.

A study of the fine structure of the avian lung revealed the presence of a unique laminated membrane surface and associated osmiophilic inclusions in epithelial cells of the tertiary bronchi and atria. These structures were not found in the air-capillary epithelium. Each lamination of the membrane surface had the appearance and dimensions of the unit membrane.

LOCALIZATION OF RESPIRATORY ENZYMES IN INTRACYTOPLASMIC MEMBRANES OF AZOTOBACTER AGILIS.

Pangborn, J. (University of California, Davis), Allen G. Marr, and S.

Colonial growth of Mycoplasma gallisepticum observed with the electron microscope.

Shifrine, Moshe (University of California, Davis), Jack Pangborn, and Henry E. Adler. Colonial growth of Mycoplasma gallisepticum observed with the electron microscope.