Strategies teaching interdisciplinary collaborative practice and education at a nurse managed clinic in underserved communities

Nursing faculty utilize Interprofessional Collaborative Practice and Education (IPCP/IPE) to integrate multiple competencies into healthcare profession programs providing a platform for faculty development and leadership skills among students

An Anti-Human ICAM-1 Antibody Inhibits Rhinovirus-Induced Exacerbations of Lung Inflammation

Human rhinoviruses (HRV) cause the majority of common colds and acute exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Effective therapies are urgently needed, but no licensed treatments or vaccines currently exist. Of the 100 identified serotypes, ∼90% bind domain 1 of human intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) as their cellular receptor, making this an attractive target for development of therapies; however, ICAM-1 domain 1 is also required for host defence and regulation of cell trafficking, principally via its major ligand LFA-1. Using a mouse anti-human ICAM-1 antibody (14C11) that specifically binds domain 1 of human ICAM-1, we show that 14C11 administered topically or systemically prevented entry of two major groups of rhinoviruses, HRV16 and HRV14, and reduced cellular inflammation, pro-inflammatory cytokine induction and virus load in vivo. 14C11 also reduced cellular inflammation and Th2 cytokine/chemokine production in a model of major group HRV-induced asthma exacerbation. Interestingly, 14C11 did not prevent cell adhesion via human ICAM-1/LFA-1 interactions in vitro, suggesting the epitope targeted by 14C11 was specific for viral entry. Thus a human ICAM-1 domain-1-specific antibody can prevent major group HRV entry and induction of airway inflammation in vivo

Eosinophils Are Important for Protection, Immunoregulation and Pathology during Infection with Nematode Microfilariae

Eosinophil responses typify both allergic and parasitic helminth disease. In helminthic disease, the role of eosinophils can be both protective in immune responses and destructive in pathological responses. To investigate whether eosinophils are involved in both protection and pathology during filarial nematode infection, we explored the role of eosinophils and their granule proteins, eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) and major basic protein-1 (MBP-1), during infection with Brugia malayi microfilariae. Using eosinophil-deficient mice (PHIL), we further clarify the role of eosinophils in clearance of microfilariae during primary, but not challenge infection in vivo. Deletion of EPO or MBP-1 alone was insufficient to abrogate parasite clearance suggesting that either these molecules are redundant or eosinophils act indirectly in parasite clearance via augmentation of other protective responses. Absence of eosinophils increased mast cell recruitment, but not other cell types, into the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid during challenge infection. In addition absence of eosinophils or EPO alone, augmented parasite-induced IgE responses, as measured by ELISA, demonstrating that eosinophils are involved in regulation of IgE. Whole body plethysmography indicated that nematode-induced changes in airway physiology were reduced in challenge infection in the absence of eosinophils and also during primary infection in the absence of EPO alone. However lack of eosinophils or MBP-1 actually increased goblet cell mucus production. We did not find any major differences in cytokine responses in the absence of eosinophils, EPO or MBP-1. These results reveal that eosinophils actively participate in regulation of IgE and goblet cell mucus production via granule secretion during nematode-induced pathology and highlight their importance both as effector cells, as damage-inducing cells and as supervisory cells that shape both innate and adaptive immunity

Telehealth diabetes screening utility of a wireless handheld iAssay blood analyzer: A cost benefit analysis

A multidisciplinary iAssay telehealth research collaboration addresses Point of Care needs of underserved diabetes clients utilizing a wireless mobile handheld blood glucose- and cholesterol-testing iAssay System device. The device remotely monitors blood chemistries, rapid blood panel testing and diagnosis in non-clinical settings improving patient outcomes, at significantly decreased costs

Associations Between Previous Treatments for Alcohol Addiction and Chances for Success at O\u27BRIEN Halfway House, Inc., Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The association between previous treatments for alcohol addiction and chance for success in a halfway house is the major focus of this research. A case study of the O\u27Brien Halfway House, during fiscal year 1983-84, was conducted for the purpose of further examining (1) selected variables that might be associated with completing or not completing treatment at O\u27Brien House and (2) selected variables that might be associated with the number of previous treatments for alcohol addiction that the patient has had prior to the admission at O\u27Brien House. Data were gathered on 84 patients through the use of a patient summary questionnaire. Finally, in a follow-up study involving 26 (one-third) of the 84 patients, the drinking behavior and life styles of these patients one year later were examined through the use of a Personal Interview Schedule and the Alcoholism Responsibility Scale. Three different statistical tests were used to support the analysis; the chi square test, the analysis of variance, and the Pearson\u27s Product Moment Correlation. The .05 level of probability was used to determine statistical significance in testing the various hypotheses. Concerning the major variables in the study, there was found a statistically significant association between fewer previous admissions for alcohol addiction and success in subsequent admissions, p \u3c .02. Statistically significant differences were also found between successful completion of the program at O\u27Brien Halfway House and: (a) living alone prior to enrollment, p \u3c .02; (b) staying longer in treatment, p \u3c .02. Also, statistically significant differences were found between fewer previous admissions for alcohol addiction treatment and: (a) male sex, p \u3c .05; (b) presently married, p \u3c .003; (c) social support contacts while in treatment, p \u3c .01; and spouse social support systems, p \u3c .01; (d) living in a city other than Baton Rouge, Louisiana, p \u3c .005; (e) completing high school, p \u3c .01; (f) employed at discharge, p \u3c .01; (g) younger the age alcohol use started, p \u3c .05. Finally, concerning a follow-up study of 26 of the 84 patients contacted a year after the 1983 program at O\u27Brien Halfway House, there was found to be statistically significant differences between fewer previous treatments for alcohol addiction and more personal control (internal locus of control), p \u3c .009

Strain-specific requirement for eosinophils in the recruitment of T cells to the lung during the development of allergic asthma

Eosinophils have been implicated as playing a major role in allergic airway responses. However, the importance of these cells to the development of this disease has remained ambiguous despite many studies, partly because of lack of appropriate model systems. In this study, using transgenic murine models, we more clearly delineate a role for eosinophils in asthma. We report that, in contrast to results obtained on a BALB/c background, eosinophil-deficient C57BL/6 ΔdblGATA mice (eosinophil-null mice via the ΔDblGATA1 mutation) have reduced airway hyperresponsiveness, and cytokine production of interleukin (IL)-4, -5, and -13 in ovalbumin-induced allergic airway inflammation. This was caused by reduced T cell recruitment into the lung, as these mouse lungs had reduced expression of CCL7/MCP-3, CC11/eotaxin-1, and CCL24/eotaxin-2. Transferring eosinophils into these eosinophil-deficient mice and, more importantly, delivery of CCL11/eotaxin-1 into the lung during the development of this disease rescued lung T cell infiltration and airway inflammation when delivered together with allergen. These studies indicate that on the C57BL/6 background, eosinophils are integral to the development of airway allergic responses by modulating chemokine and/or cytokine production in the lung, leading to T cell recruitment