Type IV Pili Can Mediate Bacterial Motility within Epithelial Cells.

is among bacterial pathogens capable of twitching motility, a form of surface-associated movement dependent on type IV pili (T4P). Previously, we showed that T4P and twitching were required for to cause disease in a murine model of corneal infection, to traverse human corneal epithelial multilayers, and to efficiently exit invaded epithelial cells. Here, we used live wide-field fluorescent imaging combined with quantitative image analysis to explore how twitching contributes to epithelial cell egress.

Association of Race, Ethnicity and Language with Participation in Mental Health Research Among Adult Patients in Primary Care.

Racial and ethnic minorities remain underrepresented in clinical psychiatric research, but the reasons are not fully understood and may vary widely between minority groups. We used the Z-test of independent proportions and binary logistic regression to examine the relationship between race, ethnicity or primary language and participation in screening as well as interest in further research participation among primary care patients being screened for a depression study. Minorities were less likely than non-Hispanic Whites to complete the initial screening survey.

Impact of a culturally focused psychiatric consultation on depressive symptoms among Latinos in primary care.

Objective: A culturally focused psychiatric (CFP) consultation service was implemented to increase engagement in mental health care and reduce depressive symptoms among adult Latino primary care patients. The aim of this study was to assess preliminary efficacy of the CFP consultation service to reduce depressive symptoms.

Methods: In a randomized controlled study, primary care clinics were randomly selected to provide either the two-session CFP intervention or enhanced usual care.

Evaluating patient acceptability of a culturally focused psychiatric consultation intervention for Latino Americans with depression.

Significant disparities exist in both access to and quality of mental health care for Latino Americans with depression compared to Caucasians, resulting in a greater burden of disability in this underserved population. Our aim is to evaluate participant acceptability of a Culturally Focused Psychiatric (CFP) consultation program for depressed Latino Americans. Latino American adult primary care patients endorsing depressive symptoms on a screening questionnaire were targeted in their primary care clinic.

Modifying the Toyota Production System for continuous performance improvement in an academic children's hospital.

The Toyota Production System (TPS) has become a successful model for improving efficiency and eliminating errors in manufacturing processes. In an effort to provide patients and families with the highest quality clinical care, our academic children's hospital has modified the techniques of the TPS for a program in continuous performance improvement (CPI) and has expanded its application to educational and research programs. Over a period of years, physicians, nurses, residents, administrators, and hospital staff have become actively engaged in a culture of continuous performance improvement.

Governing peripherally inserted central venous catheters by combining continuous performance improvement and computerized physician order entry.

Objective: Seattle Children's in Seattle, Washington sought to establish governance over peripherally inserted central catheters. Preventing overuse and creating an efficient placement process were of paramount importance.

Methodology: We describe a process by which the marriage of continuous performance-improvement projects and computerized physician order entry has led to a reproducible reduction in peripherally inserted central catheter volumes and an increase in overall provider satisfaction with the ordering process.