Hypothetical protein Cpn0308 is localized in the Chlamydia pneumoniae inclusion membrane

The hypothetical protein encoded by Chlamydia pneumoniae open reading frame cpn0308 was detected in inclusion membranes of C. pneumoniae-infected cells using antibodies raised with Cpn0308 fusion proteins. The anti-Cpn0308 antibodies did not cross-react with IncA, a known C. pneumoniae inclusion membrane protein, although the anti-Cpn0308 antibody staining overlapped with the anti-IncA antibody labeling. The labeling of the inclusion membrane by the anti-Cpn0308 antibody was specifically blocked by the Cpn0308 but not IncA fusion proteins. The Cpn0308 antigen was detectable 24 h after infection and remained in the inclusion membrane throughout the infection course.     

Localization of the hypothetical protein Cpn0585 in the inclusion membrane of Chlamydia pneumoniae-infected cells

Cpn0585, encoded by a hypothetical open reading frame in Chlamydia pneumoniae genome, was detected in the inclusion membrane during C. pneumoniae infection using both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies raised with Cpn0585 fusion protein. The anti-Cpn0585 antibodies specifically recognized the endogenous Cpn0585 without cross-reacting with IncA (a known inclusion membrane protein of C. pneumoniae) or other control antigens. A homologue of Cpn0585 in the C. caviae species (encoded by the ORF CCA00156) was also localized in the inclusion membrane of the C. caviae-infected cells. The Cpn0585 protein became detectable 24h while CCA00156 as early as 8h after infection. Once expressed, both proteins remained in the inclusion membrane throughout the rest of infection course.     

Inflammatory mediator release following bone grafting in humans: a pilot study

AIM: The aim of this pilot study was to track markers of periodontal inflammation and bone resorption associated with decalcified freeze-dried bone allografts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eleven subjects completed standardized treatment of intrabony defects > or =3 mm with allografts. Gingival crevicular fluid was collected from the defect site and an adjacent interproximal site within the surgical field at baseline, 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-operatively, and analysed for biochemical markers of inflammation/bone resorption. Probing depth, recession, bleeding on probing, plaque, and 6-month radiographic bone height change were measured. RESULTS: Both prostaglandin E(2) (p=0.007) and bone-specific type 1 collagen (p=0.01) increased in crevicular fluid after 2 weeks in the bone graft sites. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 levels remained constant over time. There were positive correlations between prostaglandin levels during the first 8 weeks and bone height change over 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Periodontal bone grafts stimulate an inflammatory response during the first 2 weeks post-operatively, and the potential negative effects of inhibiting prostaglandins post-operatively should be investigated further.     

Nursing students' general knowledge and risk perception of pandemic influenza

The threat of an influenza pandemic continues to grow, and various institutions have started planning initiatives to manage the potentially high rates of mortality, morbidity and absenteeism. The authors surveyed nursing students at the University of Alberta to determine their general knowledge of, and perception of risk associated with, pandemic influenza. The results indicated that there are many misconceptions about the nature of a potential influenza pandemic that affect nursing students' perceptions of personal and familial risk. It is imperative that nursing students receive adequate information, education and preparation along with the necessary personal protection equipment if they are going to be relied upon as a labour reserve in the event of a pandemic.     

Portable MP3 players: innovative devices for recording qualitative interviews

Digital technology has provided a new way of recording qualitative interviews, surpassing the clarity, usability and storage capabilities of conventional tape recorders. Ritin Fernandez and Rhonda Griffiths examine a technological resource that pervades modern social life and which can be used effectively for digitally recording interviews for qualitative research.     

Reconnecting to care: a nursing initiative at the Baycrest Geriatric Health System

This paper describes and examines a change program for nursing services in Complex: Continuing/Long Term Care (CC/LTC) at the Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care in Toronto. It presents a brief history of the rise of CC/LTC services and the difficulties associated with them. In particular it claims that demographic, professional and insti tutional changes have produced a differentiated specialization of supports which tend to disregard some necessary aspects of daily support for patients, and devalue the role of direct care workers in these settings. The "Reconnecting to Care" (RTC) initiative is a response the to these changes by nurses at Baycrest. In detailing why Baycrest has decided to get back to basics and reconnect to care and how it has begun to do this, this paper provides an overview of the reasons for this initiative, a little of how it has been implemented so far, and some initial lessons for nursing leaders and others.     

Electrolyte management in frequent home hemodialysis

Short daily hemodialysis (SDHD) and nocturnal home hemodialysis are modalities performed at home at shorter intervals than conventional hemodialysis. Because of their increased frequency, these alternative modalities create the potential for less inter-dialytic fluid gains and therefore fewer episodes of intra-dialytic hypotension. By more closely replicating normal renal physiology, they may also improve electrolyte management. In this article, we review published data on levels of calcium, phosphate, potassium, and bicarbonate levels using these home dialysis modalities. We also present our single-center experience with electrolyte management in patients maintained on SDHD using low dialysate flow rate, a modality of growing prevalence.