Geographic distribution of Pythium insidiosum infections in the United States.

Objective: To describe the geographic distribution of infections caused by Pythium insidiosum in dogs, horses, and other animal species in the US.

Animals: For the last 20 years, we have collected data from cases of pythiosis in 1,150 horses, 467 dogs, and other species (59) from various geographic locations in the US.

Procedures: Due to lost data (from 2006 to 2016), the selected cases include years 2000 to 2005 and 2016 to 2020.

Geomorphology of the Mirador-Calakmul Karst Basin: A GIS-based approach to hydrogeologic mapping.

This paper classifies the karst landscapes of the Petén Plateau and defines the Mirador-Calakmul Karst Basin by illustrating the distribution of its karst hydrologic features. Archaeological and spatial research of the Mirador-Calakmul area of Guatemala and Mexico has shown it to be a karst basin with geopolitical implications. Current research characterizes the karst landscapes of the Petén Plateau, maps the distribution of karst hydrologic features, and delineates the basin in geomorphological terms.

Genome Sequence of Serotype 1 Strain 16041065 BH.

Here, we report the genome sequence of serotype 1 strain 16041065 BH, which was recently isolated from a Midwestern calf that died due to -induced pneumonia. This genome comprised a total of 2.7 Mb, with an of 122 kb, and maintained hemolytic activity when grown on blood heart infusion agar supplemented with 5% sheep's blood.

Genome Sequence of a Spontaneous Nonhemolytic Mutant of 16041065 GH.

We report here the draft genome sequence of a spontaneous nonhemolytic mutant of 16041065 GH. This mutant arose during routine passage and was devoid of hemolytic activity on standard blood agars. This genome sequence had a total size of 2.

Stand-ins can save the day: interim administrators bring skills, experience to assist your practice.

An interim administrator can keep a medical practice on course during a leadership vacuum. This distinctive niche is tailored to administrative experts with broad knowledge, creative management abilities and a taste for change.

Transforming group practice governance.

Disruptions in the governance of a group practice can throw the organization into turmoil or paralyze its direction. Three case studies demonstrate how dysfunctional medical groups got back on track.

C5a-mediated leukotriene B4-amplified neutrophil chemotaxis is essential in tumor immunotherapy facilitated by anti-tumor monoclonal antibody and beta-glucan.

Intravenous and orally administered beta-glucans promote tumor regression and survival by priming granulocyte and macrophage C receptor 3 (CR3, iC3bR and CD11b/CD18) to trigger the cytotoxicity of tumor cells opsonized with iC3b via anti-tumor Abs. Despite evidence for priming of macrophage CR3 by oral beta-glucan in vivo, the current study in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice showed that granulocytes were the essential killer cells in mAb- and oral beta-glucan-mediated tumor regression, because responses were absent in granulocyte-depleted mice. Among granulocytes, neutrophils were the major effector cells, because tumor regression did not occur when C5a-dependent chemotaxis was blocked with a C5aR antagonist, whereas tumor regression was normal in C3aR(-/-) mice.

Mechanism by which orally administered beta-1,3-glucans enhance the tumoricidal activity of antitumor monoclonal antibodies in murine tumor models.

Antitumor mAb bind to tumors and activate complement, coating tumors with iC3b. Intravenously administered yeast beta-1,3;1,6-glucan functions as an adjuvant for antitumor mAb by priming the inactivated C3b (iC3b) receptors (CR3; CD11b/CD18) of circulating granulocytes, enabling CR3 to trigger cytotoxicity of iC3b-coated tumors. Recent data indicated that barley beta-1,3;1,4-glucan given orally similarly potentiated the activity of antitumor mAb, leading to enhanced tumor regression and survival.

Beta-glucan functions as an adjuvant for monoclonal antibody immunotherapy by recruiting tumoricidal granulocytes as killer cells.

The tumor-killing mechanisms available to monoclonal antibodies (mAbs; e.g., antagonism of growth factor receptors, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity) limit efficacy.

Strategic planning: it's worth the effort. Homework makes retreats work.

Medical groups that achieve superior operational and financial performance frequently have leaders who take time to hold strategic planning retreats. These gatherings allow practice leaders to address difficult issues such as expansion, compensation structure and governance--away from the workplace and facilitated by an outsider. The result: organizational direction that all leaders help shape and commit to.