Endemic carbapenem resistance associated with OXA-40 carbapenemase among Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from a hospital in northern Spain

Eighty-two carbapenem-resistant isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii from a single hospital in Bilbao were typed into two major clusters and several subclusters. Disk synergy tests and PCR indicated the production of a zinc-independent OXA-class carbapenemase. Sequencing identified this enzyme, OXA-40, as a variant of the OXA-24-OXA-25-OXA-26 cluster.     

The Family Stress and Coping Interview for families of individuals with developmental disabilities: a lifespan perspective on family adjustment

BACKGROUND: The present study investigated the psychometric properties of the Family Stress and Coping Interview (FSCI), a questionnaire designed to quantitatively and qualitatively examine the experiences of parents of children with developmental disabilities (DDs). METHODS: The participants consisted of 106 primary caregivers of 106 individuals with DDs from centres in Eastern, Central and North-western Ontario, Canada. The participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the FSCI, and the Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales. RESULTS: The results of this study indicate that the FSCI has adequate reliability (i.e. internal consistency and long-term stability) and validity (i.e. independent item ratings and discriminant validity). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the use of the FSCI as a measure of family stress in research and practice.     

基因重组神经营养蛋白-3的生物学活性

目的：测定ＮＴ－３ｃＤＮＡ／ＣＨＯ细胞表达的基因重组ＮＴ－３的生物学活性。方法：体外培养８日龄鸡胚背根神经节（ＤＲＧ）,加入条件培养基,测量背根节神经突起生长的长度。结果：ＮＴ－３ｃＤＮＡ／ＣＨＯ细胞培养４８ｈ后的无血清条件培养基１：２４稀释后即能促进ＤＲＧ神经突破的生长;随着其中ＮＴ－３浓度增加,神经突破长度也逐渐延长,有明显的量效关系;ＤＲＧ培养４８ｈ长出的神经突破与２４ｈ相比,明显长而致密;     

Penicillin and cephalosporin resistance in gonococci.

Non-penicillinase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated at St Mary's Hospital, London were examined for the prevalence of resistance to penicillin and for decreased susceptibility to cefuroxime. Of the 941 non-PPNG tested 100 (10.6%) were resistant to penicillin (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC, greater than or equal to 1 mg/l) and were considered to be chromosomally-resistant N gonorrhoeae (CMRNG). Decreased susceptibility to cefuroxime (MIC, greater than or equal to 0.5 mg/l) was detected in 79% of the CMRNG. The CMRNG were also more often prototrophic and of serogroup IB than the remaining non-PPNG. The correlation coefficient for resistance to penicillin and cefuroxime was high, 0.79. Transformation experiments with both genetically-defined strains and transformants obtained using DNA from clinical isolates, showed that increased resistance to cephalosporins was acquired in three steps in close association with penicillin. We think this suggests that the loci controlling resistance to the cephalosporins are identical or closely linked to those controlling penicillin resistance.     

Variation in Structure and Location of VanA Glycopeptide Resistance Elements among Enterococci from a Single Patient

Forty-six VanA glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE) from a single patient were investigated for variation in structure and location of VanA resistance elements. Together with identification to species level and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, these data divided the GRE into 10 groups and subgroups. Combining data in this manner appears helpful when investigating the epidemiology of GRE.     

Improving the nurse‐patient relationship: a multi‐faceted approach

Aim: A Corporate Education Session was held to provide concrete strategies for overcoming several specific barriers in the daily nurse‐patient relationship that negatively affect the patient, nurse, or both, and to provide the latest information about best practice as it affects nurses in renal care. Methodology: The session was led by a moderator who presented three video case studies to the audience. Communication strategies for recognising and overcoming nurse‐patient communication barriers were presented. The audience expressed their views about each case study using voting pads, and a panel of experts addressed the comments of the audience and discussed guidelines for best practice in renal care. The panel comprised three experienced renal nurses, a senior nephrologist, and an expert in social interaction. Conclusions: Optimal treatment of patients with renal disease should include early treatment of anaemia, adequate levels of dialysis, and a multidisciplinary approach, responding to both the medical and the social needs of the patient.