Enriching Professional Preparation in School Health through International Study

This article describes how to develop, market, implement, and evaluate an international health education travel study course. The experiences described reflect an international travel study tour of England and Scotland conducted by the authors with 25 undergraduate and graduate students. The trip enhanced both the appreciation and professional knowledge of the students of a variety of perspectives in the health area. International study provides unique opportunities for student development and contributes significantly to the quality of professional preparation of school health personnel. These experiences complement traditional professional preparation programs and can result in improved health instruction and health services in schools.     

Vaccination with FimA from Streptococcus parasanguis Protects Rats from Endocarditis Caused by Other Viridans Streptococci

The FimA protein of Streptococcus parasanguis is a virulence factor in the rat model of endocarditis, and immunization with FimA protects rats against homologous bacterial challenge. Because FimA-like proteins are widespread among the oral streptococci, the leading cause of native valve endocarditis, we evaluated the ability of this vaccinogen to protect rats when challenged by other streptococcal species. Here we report that FimA vaccination produced antibodies that cross-reacted with and protected against challenge by the oral streptococci S. mitis, S. mutans, and S. salivarius. FimA thus has promise as a vaccinogen to control infective endocarditis caused by oral streptococci.     

Environmental dust granulometry and microbial load in the presence of tobacco smoke

Background and objective:   Several studies describe damage from passive smoking in humans. However, it is not clearly understood how different chemical and physical components relate to mechanisms of damage. This investigation was focused on the particulate phase of environmental cigarette smoke. The size of particles is very important in the inhalation process and subsequent deposition of particles in the airways.
Methods:   The granulometry of suspended dust and bacterial particles was studied in a 120-m³ no-smoking room during and after the smoking of one cigarette in ten separate experiments. Granulometry was assessed by a six-channel particle counter. Suspended microbial load was evaluated by a surface air system. The sedimented bacterial load was evaluated by the air microbial index technique, which expresses the total number of microorganisms settling on a Petri plate under gravity.
Results:   The number of large particles increased during the first minute of smoking, and then decreased to basal levels. The number of medium-sized particles increased during the first 10 min of cigarette smoking, and then decreased to basal levels. The number of small particles increased over the whole experimental period. Bacterial and mycotic load decreased during and up to 60 min after cigarette smoking. Gram-positive cocci did not decrease, while chromogenous bacteria and mycetes decreased at 30 min. There was an increase in the numbers of sedimented bacteria and mycetes at 60 min, a decrease at 120 min and stabilization at 180 min.
Conclusions:   Smoking of tobacco accelerates the sedimentation of larger agglomerates of mean-sized smoke particles and bacteria, which may be re-suspended by the movement of people in the room and consequently inhaled.     

Molecular survey of clindamycin and tetracycline resistance determinants in Bacteroides species.

We have examined 13 clinical isolates of the intestinal Bacteroides group using DNA probes representing Bacteroides macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLS) (ermF) and tetracycline resistance (tetQ) determinants as well as an insertion sequence (IS4351) previously seen in association with erm genes. tetQ-hybridizing sequences were detected in 11 of 13 tetracycline-resistant clinical isolates. On the other hand, ermF-like sequences were detected in only three of eight clindamycin-resistant strains. One isolate displayed low-level, inducible resistance to clindamycin and was sensitive to erythromycin. This same isolate had IS4351-like sequences but was missing ermF-like sequences, in contrast to previous reports which demonstrated the common association of IS4351 and erm genes. Our results suggest the occurrence of unclassified MLS genes in the Bacteroides group and furthermore suggest that IS4351-like sequences are not always linked to Bacteroides ermF-like sequences. Finally, 4 of 13 isolates conjugally transferred tetracycline resistance or linked tetracycline-clindamycin (MLS) resistances, but this process did not involve plasmids.     

Representation of providers on health planning boards

PL 93-641, The National Health Planning and Resources Development Act of 1974, called for broad representation of health care providers, in addition to consumers, on Health Systems Agency (HSA) governing boards. Analysis of data submitted to the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare by the HSAs indicated that HSA provider board members are not representative of the overall provider work force or general population. Direct providers outnumber indirect providers by roughly seven to one. Physicians and hospital-nursing administrators are overrepresented, and nurses and other provider groups underrepresented, in relation to their numbers in the work force. Evidence also shows that HSA provider board members are mostly white males, although nonwhites and females are significantly represented in the work force and population.     

Genetic approaches to the study of oral microflora: a review

As the study of oral microorganisms intensified almost 2 decades ago, the application of genetic techniques resulted in important contributions to the understanding of this clinically and ecologically important group of bacteria. The isolation and characterization of mutants of cariogenic streptococci helped to focus attention on traits that were important in colonization and virulence. Such classic genetic approaches gave way to molecular genetic techniques, including recombinant DNA methodology in the late 1970s. Gene cloning systems and methods to move DNA into cells have been developed for oral streptococci. Many streptococcal genes thought to be important in colonization and virulence have since been cloned and their nucleotide sequence determined. Mutant strains have been constructed using defective copies of cloned genes in order to create specific genetic lesions on the bacterial chromosome. By testing such mutants in animal models, a picture of the cellular and molecular basis of dental caries is beginning to emerge. These modern genetic methodologies also are being employed to develop novel and efficacious cell-free or whole cell vaccines against this infection. Genetic approaches and analyses are now being used to dissect microorganisms important in periodontal disease as well. Such systems should be able to exploit advances made in genetically manipulating related anaerobes, such as the intestinal Bacteroides. Gene cloning techniques in oral anaerobes, Actinomyces and Actinobacillus, are already beginning to pay dividends in helping understand gene structure and expression. Additional effort is needed to develop facile systems for genetic manipulation of these important groups of microorganisms.     

The Safety and Efficacy of Weighted Baseballs

One of the most common methods of training to enhance pitching velocity is the use of weighted baseballs. As with anything else, the excitement and popularity often proceed our scientific understanding.While there is still a lot to learn, our understanding of the science and efficacy of weighted baseball training has grown in recent years. The purpose of this clinical viewpoint is to summarize our current scientific understanding.