Myopodin, a synaptopodin homologue, is frequently deleted in invasive prostate cancers.

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths for men in the United States. Like other malignancies, prostate cancer is underscored by a variety of aberrant genetic alterations during its development. Although loss of heterozygosity or allelic loss is frequently identified among prostate cancers, few genes have been identified thus far as critical to the development of invasive prostate cancers. In this report, we used the recently developed technology, the "differential subtraction chain," to perform a genome-wide search for sequences that are deleted in an aggressive prostate cancer. Among the deleted sequences, we found that one sequence was deleted in >50% of prostate cancers we tested. We mapped this sequence to chromosome 4q25 by screening the Genebridge 4 hamster radiation panel with primers specific to this probe, and subsequently identify a 54-kb minimal common deletion region that contains the sequence encoding myopodin. Sequence analysis indicates that myopodin shares significant homology with synaptopodin, a protein closely associated with podocyte and neuron differentiation. Further study shows that frequent complete or partial deletions of the myopodin gene occurred among invasive prostate cancer cases (25 of 31 cases, or 80%). Statistical analysis indicates that deletion of myopodin is highly correlated with the invasiveness of prostate cancers, and thus may hold promise as an important prognostic marker for prostate cancers.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of CP-99,219, a novel azabicyclo-naphthyridone.

CP-99,219 is a trifluoronaphthyridone with significant antibacterial activity that includes the family Enterobacteriaceae (MICs for 90% of the strains tested [MIC90s], < or = 0.015 to 0.5 micrograms/ml), Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, and gonococci (MICs, < or = 0.015 micrograms/ml). Legionella spp. were also CP-99,219 susceptible, with MICs of 0.008 to 0.12 micrograms/ml. CP-99,219 demonstrated activity greater than that of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, or enoxacin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC90, 1 microgram/ml), Xanthomonas maltophilia (MIC90, 2 micrograms/ml), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (MIC90, 0.5 micrograms/ml), Enterococcus faecalis (MIC90, 1 microgram/ml), and pneumococci (MIC90, 0.12 micrograms/ml). Numerous ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates were susceptible to CP-99,219, a new compound showing potential value for further in vivo trials.

Important nurse caring behaviors: perceptions of oncology patients and nurses.

The concept of care or caring is considered to be a salient feature of nursing practice yet there has been little systematic investigation of caring as related to nursing. This study used a correlational, comparative design to explore rankings of nurse caring behaviors by oncology patients and nurses including the investigation of differences between subscale scores of these caring behaviors. Forty two patients and 46 nurses participated in the study. The results demonstrate differences and similarities between these two groups in their ranking of nurse caring behaviors. Five new subscales were identified and labelled according to kinds of caring demonstrated by the nurse. Patients ranked as most important the clinical aspects of care followed by the empathetic manner of caring. Nurses chose as most important the empathetic manner of caring followed by the continuity of caring. This study provides increased understanding of the perceptions of oncology patients and nurses about nurse caring behaviors.

Developing and implementing a community intergenerational program.

Although intergenerational programs are becoming increasingly popular, there has been little documentation linking independent yet isolated seniors with children. This article discusses the development and implementation of a community intergenerational program. Elementary school students interacted with seniors at a nearby senior citizen apartment complex during eight 2-hr after-school meetings. Various recruitment strategies were needed to reach this vulnerable senior population, and activities had to be carefully monitored to promote intergenerational exchange. Evaluation of the program showed both the value of such interaction to the students and seniors and the importance of the nurse's role in ensuring that the program's benefits were realized.

Homeless persons communicate their meaning of health.

A qualitative study that utilized a convenience sample of 29 individuals was conducted to uncover the meaning of health as it is experienced by homeless persons. Analysis revealed that homeless persons have two distinct conceptions of health: the characteristics that describe health, and a comprehensive view of the totality of health expressed in different combinations of health dimensions. A total of 10 characteristics that described the essence of health were identified: satisfying basic human needs, having no illness-related complaints, doing the work of health, fulfilling a functional role, having a positive self-image and outlook, being fit, having a support network, eschewing the use of addictive drugs, having good hygiene, and structuring the day. Four distinct perceptions of health were revealed: physical dimensions of health exclusively, physical and mental/emotional dimensions of health considered separately, physical and mental/emotional dimensions of health coexistent, and health as a multidimensional process of well-being. Respondents also indicated that acute life events associated with feelings of loss preceded their state of homelessness. Generally, the respondents in this study considered themselves to be healthy.

Antimicrobial activities of two investigational fluoroquinolones (CI-960 and E4695) against over 100 Legionella sp. isolates.

The antimicrobial activities of two investigational fluoroquinolones (CI-960 and E4695) were compared with those of five similar compounds and four comparison drugs against 103 strains of Legionella pneumophila and five other Legionella species type strains. When concentrations inhibiting 90% of strains tested (MIC90s) for L. pneumophila were determined, CI-960 and temafloxacin emerged as the most active (0.015 microgram/ml) and were followed in potency by E4695 (0.03 microgram/ml). This activity was two- to fourfold greater than that of the reference drug, ciprofloxacin, and approached that of rifampin (MIC90, 0.008 microgram/ml). All fluoroquinolones studied were more active than erythromycin (MIC90, 0.5 microgram/ml). These two investigational fluoroquinolones appear well suited for further in vivo study of legionellosis therapy.

Antimicrobial activity of ten macrolide, lincosamine and streptogramin drugs tested against Legionella species.

RP59500, a semisynthetic pristinamycin combination, and 14 other antimicrobial agents were tested against 108 Legionella strains. Of the ten macrolide, lincosamine and streptogramin agents tested, the new streptogramin RP59500 ranked seventh in order of activity against Legionella pneumophila on the basis of MIC90 results as follows: clarithromycin = 14-OH clarithromycin (MIC90 0.12 mg/l) > roxithromycin > erythromycin = tylosin = virginiamycin > RP59500 (MIC90 1 mg/l) = azithromycin > dirithromycin > clindamycin (MIC90 8 mg/l). Of all 14 drugs tested in this study, rifampicin was the most potent with an MIC90 of 0.008 mg/l. In this retrospective study of Legionella strains (1981-1990 isolates), we observed no trend toward resistance to the agents investigated.

Interpretive criteria for disk diffusion tests using 5-microgram cefdinir disks with rapidly growing clinical isolates.

Preliminary interpretive zone diameter criteria were calculated for the 5-micrograms cefdinir disk diffusion test by using two potential MIC breakpoints (less than or equal to 0.5 and less than or equal to 1 micrograms/ml). The absolute agreement between tests ranged from 85.9 to 92.4%, and the false-susceptibility errors were principally contributed by the Enterobacter spp. (2.2% error). One proposed criterion was greater than or equal to 20-mm zone diameter (less than or equal to 1 micrograms/ml) for susceptibility and less than or equal to 16-mm zone diameter (greater than 2 micrograms/ml) for resistance to cefdinir. Clinical laboratory users of the disk diffusion method should be cautioned about the possibility of very major interpretive errors among enterobacter isolates.

Secondary analysis: a method for learning research activities.

Secondary analysis may be an efficient, effective method of providing graduate students in nursing with experience in specified stages of the research process. The availability of archived data sets is increasing as are the numbers of researchers who recognize the value of sharing data with others. Thus, the development of nursing as a research-based practice can be enhanced by tapping into this source of data and asking relevant research questions that address issues in nursing.