Digital Commons Network^™

Activities Of Daptomycin And Vancomycin Alone And In Combination With Rifampin And Gentamicin Against Biofilm-Forming Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Isolates In An Experimental Model Of Endocarditis, Kerry L. Laplante, Woodmansee

Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research Faculty Publications

The findings of clinical and in vitro research support the theory that infective endocarditis (IE)-causing bacteria form biofilms and that biofilms negatively affect treatment outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to quantify the biofilm formation of methicillin (meticillin)-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates obtained from patients with IE and to evaluate the in vitro activities of daptomycin and vancomycin alone and in combination with rifampin (rifampicin) or gentamicin while monitoring the isolates for the development of resistance. A high-inoculum, stationary-phase infection model of IE was used to simulate the pharmacokinetics in humans of daptomycin at 6 mg/kg of body …

In Vitro Activities Of Telavancin And Vancomycin Against Biofilm-Producing Staphylococcus Aureus, S. Epidermidis, And Enterococcus Faecalis Strains, Kerry L. Laplante, A. Mermel

Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research Faculty Publications

We investigated the activities of telavancin and vancomycin against biofilm-producing Staphylococcus and Enterococcus strains. At clinically attainable concentrations, telavancin was active against bacteria embedded in biofilm (minimal biofilm eradication concentration [MBEC], 0.125 to 2 μg/ml) and inhibited biofilm formation at concentrations below the MIC. Vancomycin did not demonstrate the same activity (MBEC, ≥512 μg/ml) against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. Telavancin may have a unique role in biofilm-associated infections.

Evolution Of Tolerance To Pcbs And Susceptibility To A Bacterial Pathogen (Vibrio Harveyi) In Atlantic Killifish (Fundulus Heteroclitus) From New Bedford (Ma, Usa) Harbor, Diane Nacci, Marina Huber, Denise Champlin, Saro Jayaraman, Sarah Cohen, Eric Gauger, Allison Fong, Marta Gomez-Chiarri

Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Faculty Publications

A population of the non-migratory estuarine fish Fundulus heteroclitus (Atlantic killifish) resident to New Bedford (NB), Massachusetts, USA, an urban harbor highly contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), demonstrates recently evolved tolerance to some aspects of PCB toxicity. PCB toxicology, ecological theory, and some precedence supported expectations of increased susceptibility to pathogens in NB killifish. However, laboratory bacterial challenges of the marine pathogen Vibrio harveyi to wild fish throughout the reproductive season and to their mature laboratory-raised progeny demonstrated comparable survival by NB and reference killifish, and improved survival by NB males. These results are inconsistent with hypothesized trade-offs of adaptation, …

Bacterial Community Profiling Of The Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea Virginica): Comparison Of Culture-Dependent And Culture-Independent Outcomes, Kenneth J. La Valley, Steve Jones, Marta Gomez-Chiarri, Joseph Dealteris, Michael A. Rice

Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Faculty Publications

Tissue-associated bacterial community profiles generated using a nested polymerase chain reaction–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) approach and culture-dependent and culture-independent isolation techniques were compared. Oyster samples were collected from 2 harvest areas along the coast of Maine, in the United States. Profiles from both isolation strategies were evaluated using Sorensen’s index of similarity and cluster analysis of gel banding patterns. Culture independent profiles were further evaluated using the Shannon diversity index. In general, the culture-dependent strategy resulted in a greater number of bands within a profile. Bacterial DGGE profiles were found to be highly similar within an isolation strategy, with …

Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus: Pharmacoepidemiologic Assessment Of Common Medications, Aisling R. Caffrey

Open Access Dissertations

Background. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a prevalent organism, causing serious infections which are difficult and expensive to treat. Despite the implementation of evidence-based infection control practices and development of newer efficacious antibiotics, MRSA infection and colonization rates continue to increase. Treatments for MRSA have received considerable research attention over the past 10 years, yet several gaps in knowledge remain. In particular, controversy regarding the effectiveness of linezolid as compared to vancomycin in treating MRSA infections persists, and few risk factors associated with mupirocin resistance have been identified. Methods. In the first manuscript of this dissertation, we sought to estimate …

Epitope-Based Vaccination Against Pneumonic Tularemia, Stephen H. Gregory, Stephanie Mott, Jennifer Phung, Jinhee Lee, Leonard Moise, Julie A. Mcmurry, William Martin, Anne S. De Groot

Institute for Immunology and Informatics Faculty Publications

Francisella tularensis, the etiological agent of tularemia, is one of the most infectious bacterial pathogens known. No vaccine is currently approved for public use. Previously, we identified epitopes recognized specifically by T cells obtained from individuals following infection with F. tularensis. Here, we report that a subunit vaccine constructed based upon these epitopes elicited protective immunity in “humanized” HLA class II (DRB1*0401) transgenic mice. Vaccinated mice challenged intratracheally with a lethal dose of F. tularensis (Live Vaccine Strain) exhibited a rapid increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine production and diminished number of organisms in the lungs, and a concurrent increased …

Idcr: Infectious Diseases In Corrections Report, Vol. 9 No. 24, Infectious Diseases In Corrections

Infectious Diseases in Corrections Report (IDCR)

No abstract provided.

Serials Solutions Subject Search Report 2007-2008

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 2007-2008. Shows how many times the A-Z full text electronic journal list (at http://zu4tq4pb5v.search.serialssolutions.com/) was browsed by specific subjects.

Idcr: Infectious Diseases In Corrections Report, Vol. 9 No. 23, Infectious Diseases In Corrections

Infectious Diseases in Corrections Report (IDCR)

No abstract provided.

A Foray Into Food Writing: A Philosophical Approach To Contemporary Food Movements, Rebecca Long

Senior Honors Projects

For my Honors Project I chose to explore one of my passions, food writing. To accomplish this I did extensive research into several food movements with which I was previously unfamiliar. On the basis of this research I generated short papers that became appendices to my final product. The research grounded subsequent journalistic pieces, which explore intriguing aspects of these food movements but in a prose style and at a scale more appropriate to a general readership.

Differential Equations: A Universal Language, Bethany Caron

Senior Honors Projects

“Mathematics knows no races or geographic boundaries; for mathematics, the cultural world is one country.” – David Hilbert Differential equations are equations of one or more variables that involve both functions and their derivatives. These equations have many applications to the everyday “non-math” world, including modeling in engineering, physics, biology, chemistry, and economics. Differential equations are used when a situation arises where one needs to study a continuously changing quantity (expressed as a function) and its rate of change (expressed through its derivatives). The solutions to differential equations are functions that make the original equation hold true, and they can …

Idcr: Infectious Diseases In Corrections Report, Vol. 9 No. 22, Infectious Diseases In Corrections

Infectious Diseases in Corrections Report (IDCR)

No abstract provided.

Tailored Intervention To Increase Dual-Contraceptive Method Use: A Randomized Trial To Reduce Unintended Pregnancies And Sexually Transmitted Infections, Jeffrey F. Peipert, Colleen A. Redding, Jeffrey D. Blume, Jenifer E. Allsworth, Kristen A. Matteson, Faye Lozowski, Kenneth H. Mayer, Patricia J. Morokoff, Joseph S. Rossi

Cancer Prevention Research Center Faculty Publications

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine whether a transtheoretical model–tailored expert system intervention increases dual-method contraceptive use, compared with a nontailored educational intervention.

Study Design: We performed a randomized clinical trial of 542 women at high risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy. The intervention group received computer-based tailored feedback using a multimedia program. The control group received general contraceptive information and nontailored advice.

Results: Participants in the intervention group were more likely to report use of dual contraceptive methods during follow-up (adjusted hazard rate ratio 1.70, 95% confidence interval 1.09, 2.66), compared with controls. …

A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial Of Repeated Iv Antibiotic Therapy For Lyme Encephalopathy, B. A. Fallon, J. G. Keilp, K. M. Corbera, E. Petkova, C. B. Britton, E. Dwyer, I. Slavov, J. Cheng, David R. Nelson, H. A. Sackeim

Cell and Molecular Biology Faculty Publications

Background: Optimal treatment remains uncertain for patients with cognitive impairment that persists or returns after standard IV antibiotic therapy for Lyme disease.

Methods: Patients had well-documented Lyme disease, with at least 3 weeks of prior IV antibiotics, current positive IgG Western blot, and objective memory impairment. Healthy individuals served as controls for practice effects. Patients were randomly assigned to 10 weeks of double-masked treatment with IV ceftriaxone or IV placebo and then no antibiotic therapy. The primary outcome was neurocognitive performance at week 12—specifically, memory. Durability of benefit was evaluated at week 24. Group differences were estimated according …

Metapopulation Dynamics Override Local Limits On Long‐Term Parasite Persistence, Karthik Ram, Evan L. Preisser, Daniel S. Gruner, Donald R. Strong

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

A simple null model, particularly germane to small and vulnerable organisms such as parasites, is that local conditions set a stage upon which larger‐scale dynamics play out. Soil moisture strongly influences survival of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN), which in turn drive trophic cascades by protecting vegetation from root‐feeding herbivores. In this study, we examine the mechanisms responsible for patchy occurrence of an entomopathogenic nematode, Heterorhabditis marelatus, in a California coastal prairie. One hypothesis proposes that biotic factors such as competition and natural enemies could regulate occurrence of EPN populations. We found that fungi and other enemies of EPN, although locally potent, …

Survival Of Eastern Oysters Crassostrea Virginica From Three Lines Following Experimental Challenge With Bacterial Pathogens, Javier Gomez-Leon, Luisa Villamil, Scott A. Salger, Rachel Sallum, Antonio Remacha-Trivino, Dale F. Leavitt, Marta Gomez-Chiarri

Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Faculty Publications

Shellfish production is often affected by bacterial pathogens that cause high losses in hatcheries and nurseries. We evaluated the relative survival of larvae and juveniles of 3 Crassostrea virginica oyster lines: (1) GHP, a Rhode Island line; (2) NEHY, a line resistant to dermo and multinucleated sphere X diseases; and (3) FLOWERS, a line resistant to Roseovarius oyster disease, experimental challenge with Vibrio spp. isolates RE22 and RE101, causative agents of bacillary necrosis in Pacific oyster larvae, and the type strain of Roseovarius crassostreae, causative agent of Roseovarius oyster disease. All of the isolates were able to induce significant …

Antimicrobial Peptides For Use In Oyster Aquaculture: Effect On Pathogens, Commensals, And Eukaryotic Expression Systems, Tarquin Dorrington, Marta Gomez-Chiarri

Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Faculty Publications

Two antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of marine origin, tachyplesin from the Japanese horseshoe crab, Tachypleus tridentatus, and pleurocidin-amide from the winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, were tested for their potential effectiveness in disease treatment in oyster aquaculture. Tachyplesin had a greater antimicrobial effect than pleurocidin-amideagainst a range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, with minimum inhibitor concentrations in the range of 0.625 to 5ug mL^–1. Tachyplesin (50 mg mL^–1) was also more effective than pleurocidin-amide (250 mg mL^–1) against the oyster protozoan parasite Perkinsus marinus, reducing its viability to 9% versus 22% in vitro …

Evaluation Of A Novel Autonomous Detector For Microbial Water Quality Monitoring, Heather L. Saffert

Open Access Dissertations

Rapid testing methods are needed for monitoring waters for fecal contamination to identify associated health hazards. Today, standard methods quantify the amount of indicator bacteria, E. coli and enterococci, using culture-based techniques that require incubation periods from 18 to 48 hours. For recreational waters, this time lag delays the closure of waters when a potential health hazard exists and prolongs closures after contamination has dissipated. A remotely deployable, autonomous sampler capable of rapid automated data analysis and reporting of fecal contamination would provide a more effective warning system for both managers and the public. An in situ instrument may also …

To Treat Or Not To Treat: The Role Of Antibiotics In The Management Of Community-Acquired Respiratory Tract Infections In An Ambulatory Setting, Julie Ann Deangelis

Open Access Dissertations

Background. Inappropriate antibiotic use for the management of community-acquired respiratory tract infections (RTIs) continues to be of great concern due to increasing bacterial resistance, the potential risk of adverse events, and the unnecessary wasting of economic resources. Although publications have suggested a decline in unnecessary antibiotic use for the treatment of RTIs since the early 1990s, antimicrobial treatment post 2000 in the outpatient setting is not well understood. Objective. The purpose of our research was to determine the antibiotic prescribing trends since 1995 in adults with a diagnosis of bronchitis, CAP or sinusitis. We also evaluated the prevalence of antibiotic …

A Concurrent Validation Of The Violence Sensitivity Scale, Jonathan Corey

Open Access Dissertations

A correlational concurrent validity study of the Violence Sensitivity Scale (VSS) was conducted in which respondents (N=169) also completed the Nonviolence Test (NVT), the Attitudes Toward Violence Scale (ATVS) and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MCSD). The VSS was significantly positively correlated with the NVT and MCSD, and significantly negatively correlated with a transformed ATVS distribution. Principal Factors Analysis limited to four, factors assigned 23 of 38 VSS behaviors to the same factors as in a previous study. Multiple regression tests found the NVT and MCSD to be significant predictors of VSS and VSS subscale scores. Demographic variables were examined …

Chemistry Of Antibiotics From Atlantic Actinomycete And Bacillus Bacteria, Aaron Martin Socha

Open Access Dissertations

The emergence of drug-resistant pathogens requires the use of innovative therapeutic agents. Hospital-acquired (nosocomial) infections represent major health and economic burdens for patients and health care professionals. In the United States over 1 million nosocomial infections are caused by drug-resistant bacteria anually, with associated expenditures ranging from $4 to $30 billion. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) commonly shows reduced susceptibility to β-lactam, peptide, macrolide, aminoglycoside, tetracycline, and lincosamide classes of antibiotics. The emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is even more alarming since glycopeptide antibiotics were once considered the drugs of last resort. Moreover, community-acquired MRSA infections are spreading out of the …

Idcr: Infectious Diseases In Corrections Report, Vol. 9 No. 21, Infectious Diseases In Corrections

Infectious Diseases in Corrections Report (IDCR)

No abstract provided.

Idcr: Infectious Diseases In Corrections Report, Vol. 9 No. 20, Infectious Diseases In Corrections

Infectious Diseases in Corrections Report (IDCR)

No abstract provided.

Idcr: Infectious Diseases In Corrections Report (Vol. 9, No. 19, Original Version), Infectious Diseases In Corrections

Infectious Diseases in Corrections Report (IDCR)

No abstract provided.

Idcr: Infectious Diseases In Corrections Report (Vol. 9, No. 19, Accredited Version), Infectious Diseases In Corrections

Infectious Diseases in Corrections Report (IDCR)

No abstract provided.

Idcr: Infectious Diseases In Corrections Report, Vol. 9 No. 18, Infectious Diseases In Corrections

Infectious Diseases in Corrections Report (IDCR)

No abstract provided.

Serials Solutions Subject Search Report 2006-2007

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 2006-2007. Shows how many times the A-Z full text electronic journal list (at http://zu4tq4pb5v.search.serialssolutions.com/) was browsed by specific subjects.

Idcr: Infectious Diseases In Corrections Report, Vol. 9 No. 16, Infectious Diseases In Corrections

Infectious Diseases in Corrections Report (IDCR)

No abstract provided.

Invasive Alien Species In An Era Of Globalization, Laura A. Meyerson, Harold A. Mooney

Natural Resources Science Faculty Publications

Globalization facilitates the spread of invasive alien species (IAS) as international commerce develops new trade routes, markets, and products. New technologies increase the pace at which humans and commodities can move around the world. Recent research on IAS at the global scale has examined commerce and travel in order to inform predictions, risk analyses, and policy. Due to limited data, regional-scale studies have primarily focused on invasion patterns rather than impacts. Local-scale experimental research can identify mechanisms and impacts of biological invasions, but the results may not be applicable at larger spatial scales. However, the number of information networks devoted …

International Development Education, Adam Crawley

Senior Honors Projects

Global warming, terrorism, and nuclear proliferation are perhaps three of the most daunting security challenges being faced by the United States today. How to meet these threats is the subject of endless political debate in our society, yet too often the root causes of these threats are overlooked. While the Western world is certainly responsible for the majority of emissions that contribute to global warming, it will not be long until developing nations, led by industrial powers such as China, begin to take on a more significant role in contributing to this problem. Similarly, it is these same developing nations …