Digital Commons Network^™

Clinical Outcomes In Patients With Heterogeneous Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus Aureus Bloodstream Infection, Anthony M. Casapao, N. Leonard, Susan L. Daivs, Thomas P. Lodise, Nimish Patel, Debra A. Goff, Kerry L. Laplante, Brian A. Potoski, Michael J. Rybak

Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research Faculty Publications

The prevalence of heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) infections varies in the literature, a problem complicated by the lack of routine screening procedures; however, limited data suggest that hVISA has been associated with persistent bloodstream infections (BSI) and vancomycin failure, yet these studies have been confounded by design issues. We conducted this study to compare the characteristics of patients with BSI caused by hVISA with those with vancomycin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (VSSA) treated with vancomycin. This retrospective, multicenter matched (1:1) cohort study compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes of hVISA and VSSA. Patients with hVISA methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) BSI from …

Development Of Enhanced Lateral Flow Test Devices For Point-Of-Care Diagnostics, Roman Gerbers

Open Access Master's Theses

Lateral flow Imunoassays (LFIA) are common, simple to use point-of-care devices for the diagnostic market. Conventionally LFIAs are limited in their complexity since they are optimized for minimally trained operators. Paper-based analytical devices (PAD) are advanced sensors based on a wide range of recently developed techniques for complex analytical methods. In this research, a point-of-care (POC) immunosensor was developed based on techniques adapted from lateral flow and paper-based analytical devices. Alternating layers of paper and tape were used to expand the common 2D design of lateral flow tests to 3D in order to enable complex fluid flow control. Four fluidic …

Making Vaccines "On Demand", Anne S. De Groot, Leo Einck, Leonard Moise, Michael Chambers, John Ballantyne, Robert W. Malone, Matthew Ardito, William Martin

Institute for Immunology and Informatics Faculty Publications

The integrated US Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE) has made great strides in strategic preparedness and response capabilities. There have been numerous advances in planning, biothreat countermeasure development, licensure, manufacturing, stockpiling and deployment. Increased biodefense surveillance capability has dramatically improved, while new tools and increased awareness have fostered rapid identification of new potential public health pathogens. Unfortunately, structural delays in vaccine design, development, manufacture, clinical testing and licensure processes remain significant obstacles to an effective national biodefense rapid response capability. This is particularly true for the very real threat of “novel pathogens” such as the avian-origin influenzas H7N9 …

Dengue Viral Rna Levels In Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Are Associated With Disease Severity And Preexisting Dengue Immune Status, Anon Srikiatkhachorn, Sineewanlaya Wichit, Robert V. Gibbons, Sharone Green, Daniel H. Libraty, Timothy P. Endy, Francis A. Ennis, Siripen Kalayanarooj, Alan L. Rothman

Institute for Immunology and Informatics Faculty Publications

Background

Infection with dengue viruses (DENV) causes a wide range of manifestations from asymptomatic infection to a febrile illness called dengue fever (DF), to dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). The in vivo targets of DENV and the relation between the viral burden in these cells and disease severity are not known.

Method

The levels of positive and negative strand viral RNA in peripheral blood monocytes, T/NK cells, and B cells and in plasma of DF and DHF cases were measured by quantitative RT-PCR.

Results

Positive strand viral RNA was detected in monocytes, T/NK cells and B cells with the highest amounts …

A Dominant Ev71-Specific Cd4+ T Cell Epitope Is Highly Conserved Among Human Enteroviruses, Ruicheng Wei, Chunfu Yang, Mei Zeng, Frances Terry, Kai Zhu, Chunhui Yang, Ralf Altmeyer, William Martin, Anne S. De Groot, Qibin Leng

Institute for Immunology and Informatics Faculty Publications

CD4+ T cell-mediated immunity plays a central role in determining the immunopathogenesis of viral infections. However, the role of CD4+ T cells in EV71 infection, which causes hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), has yet to be elucidated. We applied a sophisticated method to identify promiscuous CD4+ T cell epitopes contained within the sequence of the EV71 polyprotein. Fifteen epitopes were identified, and three of them are dominant ones. The most dominant epitope is highly conserved among enterovirus species, including HFMD-related coxsackieviruses, HFMD-unrelated echoviruses and polioviruses. Furthermore, the CD4+ T cells specific to the epitope indeed cross-reacted with the homolog …

The Five Hundredth Report Of The Curricular Affairs Committee., University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Bills

No abstract provided.

The Good 5 Cent Cigar (9/19/2012), University Of Rhode Island

The Good 5 Cent Cigar (Student Newspaper Archives)

This is a digitized, downloadable version of the University of Rhode Island school newspaper.

Evaluating Short-Term Patient Outcomes After Hiv Care Interventions In A Low Resource Setting: Preparing For An Hiv Vaccine Trial Site In Bamako, Mali, Z. Koty, A. Bicki, Y. Koné, L. Diarra, K. Tounkara, F. Siby Diallo, L. Levitz, B. Aboubacar, M. Rochas, S. Dao, Anne S. De Groot

Institute for Immunology and Informatics Faculty Publications

Poster Presentation From AIDS Vaccine 2012 Boston, MA, USA. 9-12 September 2012

The Role Of Comparative Effectiveness Research In Medicine And Health, Aisling R. Caffrey

Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A Ten-Year Experience Of A Pharmacist Consulting Team For Statewide Bioterrorism And Emergency Preparedness, Brett Feret, P. Bratberg

Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Going Deep For Drug Discovery: An Ocean To Bedside Approach To Explore Sub-Seafloor Microbes For The Next Generation Of Antibiotics, Stephanie Forschner-Dancause, L. Laplante, David C. Smith, David C. Rowley

Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Pediatric Vancomycin Use In 421 Hospitals In The United States, 2008, Tamar Lasky, Jay Greenspan, Frank R. Ernst, M. Liliana Gonzalez

Computer Science and Statistics Faculty Publications

Background: Recommendations to prevent the spread of vancomycin resistance have been in place since 1995 and include guidelines for inpatient pediatric use of vancomycin. The emergence of large databases allows us to describe variation in pediatric vancomycin across hospitals. We analyzed a database with hospitalizations for children under 18 at 421 hospitals in 2008.

Methodology/Principal Findings: The Premier hospital 2008 database, consisting of records for 877,201 pediatric hospitalizations in 421 hospitals, was analyzed. Stratified analyses and logistic mixed effects models were used to calculate the probability of vancomycin use while considering random effects of hospital variation, hospital fixed …

Serials Solutions Subject Search Report 2011-2012, Andrée J. Rathemacher

Technical Services Reports and Statistics

Statistics on the total number of Serials Solutions subject searches at the University of Rhode Island Libraries by month for 2011-2012. Shows how many times the A-Z full text electronic journal list (at http://zu4tq4pb5v.search.serialssolutions.com/) was browsed by specific subjects.

Fine Scale Spatiotemporal Clustering Of Dengue Virus Transmission In Children And Aedes Aegypti In Rural Thai Villages, In-Kyu Yoon, Arthur Getis, Jared Aldstadt, Alan L. Rothman, Darunee Tannitisupawong, Constantianus J.M. Koenraadt, Thanyalak Fansiri, James W. Jones, Amy C. Morrison, Richard G. Jarmen, Ananda Nisalak, Mammen P. Mammen Jr., Suwich Thammapalo, Anon Srikiatkhachorn, Sharone Green, Daniel H. Libraty, Robert V. Gibbons, Timothy Endy, Chusak Pimgate, Thomas W. Scott

Institute for Immunology and Informatics Faculty Publications

Background: Based on spatiotemporal clustering of human dengue virus (DENV) infections, transmission is thought to occur at fine spatiotemporal scales by horizontal transfer of virus between humans and mosquito vectors. To define the dimensions of local transmission and quantify the factors that support it, we examined relationships between infected humans and Aedes aegypti in Thai villages.

Methodology/Principal Findings: Geographic cluster investigations of 100-meter radius were conducted around DENV-positive and DENV-negative febrile ‘‘index’’ cases (positive and negative clusters, respectively) from a longitudinal cohort study in rural Thailand. Child contacts and Ae. aegypti from cluster houses were assessed for DENV infection. …

Human Papillomavirus Among Gay And Bisexual Men: The Need For Education And Vaccination 2012, Anne Fernandez, Elsa Larson

Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Center

In the United States, rates of anal cancer among MSM are higher than rates of cervical cancer among women. This presentation has a Ms Power point and PDF.

In Vitro Coagulation Effects Of Ophthalmic Doses Of Bevacizumab, Kerry L. Laplante, Li, Paul B. Greenberg, Victoria Tseng, Suzanne B. Woodmansee, Aisling R. Caffrey, Wen-Chih Wu, Peter D. Friedmann

Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Purpose: In vitro coagulation effects of bevacizumab, a drug with potential risks for severe hemorrhagic and arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs), are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of bevacizumab, including the common ophthalmic dose of 1.25 mg, on the coagulation cascade.

Methods: Bevacizumab doses of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.25, 2.0, 2.5, and 4.0 mg were incubated at 37 C in the presence of pooled normal plasma (PNP) to determine its biological activity via activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT) at 30 min, 1 h, and 2 h. The control consisted …

Changing Epidemiology Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus In The Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, 2002–2009, Aisling R. Caffrey, L. Laplante

Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Purpose. The epidemiology of infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is changing. Temporal trends and differences between healthcare settings must be described in order to better predict future risk factors associated with this dangerous bacterial infection.

Methods. A national MRSA-infected cohort was identified from 2002 to 2009 in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System of the United States: hospital (HOS), long-term care (LTC), and outpatient (OPT). We analyzed within-setting time trends using generalized linear mixed models and between-setting differences with χ² and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests.

Results. The incidence of S. aureus, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), …

The End Of Nowhere: The History Of Tuberculosis In Ri, Emma G. Sconyers

Senior Honors Projects

The World Health Organization estimates that approximately one third of the word's current population had been infected with tuberculosis. Prior to the 1940's TB was considered an incurable, chronic affliction. Historically, many people were forcibly detained in tuberculosis sanatoria to lessen the spread of the disease; my great granfather being one of them. In 1939, without warning, he was taken from his pregnant, jobless wife and one-year-old daughter, who were left to fend for themselves for two years without government planning or assistance. He spent those two years at Wallum Lake Sanitorium in northern Rhode Island, a place my great-grandmother's …

A Mathematical Model For Dengue Fever In A Virgin Environment, Jason K. Bowman

Senior Honors Projects

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The disease was named in 1779 and the first recorded epidemic of it occurred simultaneously on three continents within the following decade. Dengue is characterized by flu-like symptoms and, while its symptoms are generally reported as quite unpleasant, is rarely fatal. However, in some cases patients can contract a more serious form of the disease, known as Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, which is far more dangerous. The World Health Organization estimates that today over 2.5 billion people are at risk for Dengue (over 40% of the …

The Good 5 Cent Cigar (4/27/2012), University Of Rhode Island

The Good 5 Cent Cigar (Student Newspaper Archives)

This is a digitized, downloadable version of the University of Rhode Island school newspaper.

Division Of Research And Economic Development Annual Report For Fy2012, Uri Division Of Research And Economic Development

Reports (Research and Economic Development)

Annual report for the Division of Research and Economic Development of the University of Rhode Island for the year 2011-2012.

Includes statistics of project proposals, expenditures, URI Foundation Awards, previous annual report summaries and awards received by individual academic and administrative departments.

Effect Of Hla Dr Epitope De-Immunization Of Factor Viii In Vitro And In Vivo, Leonard Moise, Chang Song, William D. Martin, Ryan Tassone, Anne S. De Groot, David W. Scott

Institute for Immunology and Informatics Faculty Publications

T cell-dependent development of anti-Factor VIII (FVIII) antibodies that neutralize FVIII activity is a major obstacle to replacement therapy in hemophilia A. To create a less immunogenic therapeutic protein, recombinant FVIII can be modified to reduce HLA binding of epitopes based on predicted anchoring residues. Here, we used immunoinformatic tools to identify C2 domain HLA DR epitopes and predict site-specific mutations that reduce immunogenicity. Epitope peptides corresponding to original and modified sequences were validated in HLA binding assays and in immunizations of hemophilic E16 mice, DR3 and DR4 mice and DR3 × E16 mice. Consistent with immunoinformatic predictions, original epitopes …

N-Myristoylglutamic Acid Derivative Of 3′-Fluoro-3′-Deoxythymidine As An Organogel, Bhupender S. Chhikara, Rakesh Tiwari, Keykavous Parang

Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Designing microbicidal gels of anti-HIV drugs for local application to prevent HIV infection is a subject of major interest. 3′-Fluoro-3′-deoxythymidine (FLT), a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), was conjugated with a N-myristoylglutamate scaffold. The conjugate showed gelation at 1% (w/w) in different organic solvents, such as toluene, dichloromethane, and chloroform. The gels were opaque and stable at room temperature. The results indicate that myristoyl glutamate derivative of FLT can form an organogel. The gel could have potential application as a topical anti-HIV microbicidal agent.

Inhibition Of Bacterial Growth And Biofilm Production By Constituents From Hypericum Spp., Simon A. Sarkisian, J. Janssen, H. Matta, G. E. Henry, Kerry L. Laplante, David C. Rowley

Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Biofilm embedded bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii are difficult to eradicate and are major sources of bacterial infections. New drugs are needed to combat these pathogens. Hypericum is a plant genus that contains species known to have antimicrobial properties. However, the specific constituents responsible for the antimicrobial properties are not entirely known, nor have most compounds been tested as inhibitors of biofilm development. The investigation presented here tested seven secondary metabolites isolated from the species Hypericum densiflorum, Hypericum ellipticum, Hypericum prolificum, and Hypericum punctatum as inhibitors of …

Medication-Assisted Treatment In Criminal Justice Agencies Affiliated With The Criminal Justice-Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (Cj-Dats): Availability, Barriers, And Intentions, Peter D. Friedmann, Randall Hoskinson Jr., Michael Gordon, Robert Schwartz, Timothy Kinlock, Kevin Knight, Patrick M. Flynn, Wayne N. Welsh, Lynda A.R. Stein, Stanley Sacks, Daniel J. O'Connell, Hannah K. Knudsen, Michael S. Shafer, Elizabeth Hall, Linda K. Frisman

Cancer Prevention Research Center Faculty Publications

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is underutilized in the treatment of drug-dependent, criminal justice populations. This study surveyed criminal justice agencies affiliated with the Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (CJ-DATS) to assess use of MAT and factors influencing use of MAT. A convenience sample (N = 50) of criminal justice agency respondents (e.g., jails, prisons, parole/probation, and drug courts) completed a survey on MAT practices and attitudes. Pregnant women and individuals experiencing withdrawal were most likely to receive MAT for opiate dependence in jail or prison, whereas those reentering the community from jail or prison were the least likely to …

Language Impairment In Children Perinatally Infected With Hiv Compared To Children Who Were Hiv-Exposed And Uninfected, Mabel L. Rice, L. Buchanan, George K. Siberry, Kathleen M. Malee, Bret Zeldow, Toni Frederick, Murli U. Purswani, Howard J. Hoffman, Patricia A. Sirois, Renee Smith, Peter Torre Iii, Susannah M. Allison, Paige L. Williams

Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research Faculty Publications

Objective - To investigate risk for language impairment in children perinatally infected or exposed to HIV.

Methods - We evaluated the prevalence of language impairment (LI) in 7–16 year old children with perinatal HIV infection (HIV+) compared to children HIV-exposed and uninfected (HEU), using a comprehensive standardized language test (CELF-4). LI was classified as primary LI (Pri-LI) (monolingual English exposure and no cognitive or hearing impairment), concurrent LI (Con-LI) (cognitive or hearing impairment), or no LI. Associations of demographic, caregiver, HIV disease and antiretroviral treatment (ART) factors with LI category were evaluated using univariate and multivariable logistic regression models.

Results …

The Effect Of Vitamin E Supplementation On An Experimental Haemonchus Contortus Infection In Dorset Lambs, Brittany Marie De Wolf

Open Access Master's Theses

Gastrointestinal parasitism in sheep, particularly lambs, results in substantial economic losses to producers worldwide. Nutritional status has been shown to play an important role in host immune response to parasitic infections. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E supplementation on an artificial Haemonchus contortus (H. contortus) infection in immature lambs. Twenty Dorset lambs were stratified into two treatment groups according to parasite susceptibility. Worm-free lambs, 28 to 32 weeks of age, were supplemented with vitamin E (d-α-tocopherol) for twelve weeks following the recommendations of the National Research Council for minimal daily requirement …

Library Impact Statement For Mls 496 Global Health, Michael Cerbo

Library Impact Statements

Library Impact Statement in response to new course proposal for MLS 496 Global Health. New course was supported with no need for additional resources.

Low Adherence To Outpatient Preoperative Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Decolonization Therapy, Aisling R. Caffrey, B. Woodmansee, Nancy Crandall, Cynthia Tibert, Corinne Fielding, Dennis J. Mikolich, Michael P. Vezeridis, Kerry L. Laplante

Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Extended Interferon-Alpha Therapy Accelerates Telomere Length Loss In Human Peripheral Blood T Lymphocytes, Joel M. O'Bryan, James A. Potts, Herbert L. Bonkovsky, Anuja Mathew, Alan L. Rothman

Institute for Immunology and Informatics Faculty Publications

Background:

Type I interferons have pleiotropic effects on host cells, including inhibiting telomerase in lymphocytes and antiviral activity. We tested the hypothesis that long-term interferon treatment would result in significant reduction in average telomere length in peripheral blood T lymphocytes.

Methods/Principal Findings:

Using a flow cytometry-based telomere length assay on peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples from the Hepatitis-C Antiviral Long-term Treatment against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) study, we measured T cell telomere lengths at screening and at months 21 and 45 in 29 Hepatitis-C virus infected subjects. These subjects had failed to achieve a sustained virologic response following 24 weeks of pegylated-interferon-alpha …