Molecular characterization of intestinal bacteria in healthy cats and a comparison of the fecal bacterial flora between healthy cats and cats with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Past studies characterizing the feline intestinal microflora have used traditional bacterial culture techniques. However, in recent years it has been recognized that the majority of intestinal bacteria are non cultivable. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the microflora along the intestinal tract in healthy cats using comparative 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) analysis. Intestinal content from the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon was collected from 4 healthy cats and one specific pathogen free cat (SPF) and the bacterial composition was identified by direct sequencing of bacterial 16S rDNA amplicons. A predominant anaerobic microflora was observed in all evaluated segments of the intestine. Fourteen different bacterial orders were identified with the majority of all sequences classified in the class Clostridiales. Six different Clostridium clusters were identified with the majority of sequences affiliated with Clostridium cluster I. Comparative 16S rDNA analysis was also used to evaluate differences in the fecal microflora between healthy cats (n=6), cats with histopathologically confirmed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; n=6), and cats with intestinal neoplasia (n=3). Compared to the IBD group, cats in the control group showed a significantly higher number of sequences classified as Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria (p<0.0001). The control group had a significantly higher proportion of clones affiliated with Clostridium cluster XI, and a significantly lower proportion affiliated with cluster I (both p<0.0001). In the neoplasia group, the majority of sequences were classified in the phylum Firmicutes (97.9%) and clones were predominately affiliated with Clostridium clusters I and XI. These data indicate that the feline intestinal microflora is highly diverse and is comprised predominantly of anaerobic bacteria. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the clinical significance of the observed differences in intestinal microflora between healthy cats and cats with gastrointestinal disease

Department of social services data access project final report

This report reviews the context and options available to the Department of Social Service (DSS) in developing its data access strategy, and proposes future developments based upon international practice. The structure of the report is separated into 4 parts. Part I provides the context for the report, considering current practices, law and the wider strategic framework.Part II (international experience) uses the Five Safes structure to break down data access mechanisms into separate components, and review the 'what works' evidence.Part III describes user groups in detail and the proposed data access solutions mapped to each user group; it also reviews institutional factors (culture and attitudes) that have an effect on the efficacy of any implementation.Part IV provides a roadmap for future development

Frameworks, principles and accreditation in modern data management

The Five Safes framework is increasingly widely used for data governance. Since its conception in 2003, it has influenced data management in many ways, particularly in the public sector. As it has become established, both the advantages and limitations have come to the fore, along with an understanding of modern data management principles. This paper explores the history, strengths and limitations in the Five Safes, as well as recent suggestions for deepening or extending the framework. It places the Five Safes in the context of contemporary developments in principles-based design, user-centred planning, and the evidence-based decision-making. It discusses the different variations on the framework over time, and questions whether there is a need for a fundamental rethink. The paper argues that the framework works best when aligned simultaneously to an accreditation process, a principles-based design ethos, an evidence-base, and a user-centred decision-making process. It examines two countries, the UK and Australia, which are moving in this direction but through very different routes

Simulations of the Extratropical Transition of Tropical Cyclones: Phasing between the Upper-Level Trough and Tropical Cyclones

The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/MWR3303.1Whether the tropical cyclone remnants will become a significant extratropical cyclone during the reintensification stage of extratropical transition is a complex problem because of the uncertainty in the tropical cyclone, the midlatitude circulation, the subtropical anticyclone, and the nonlinear interactions among these systems. In a previous study, the authors simulated the impact of the strength of the midlatitude circulation trough without changing its phasing with the tropical cyclone. In this study, the impact of phasing is simulated by fixing the initial position and amplitude of the midlatitude trough and varying the initial position of the tropical cyclone. The peak intensity of the extratropical cyclone following the extratropical transition is strongly dependent on the phasing, which leads to different degrees of interaction with the midlatitude baroclinic zone. Many aspects of the simulated circulation, temperature, and precipitation fields appear quite realistic for the reintensifying and dissipating cases. Threshold values of various parameters in quadrants near and far from the tropical cyclone are extracted that discriminate well between reintensifiers and dissipators. The selection and distribution of threshold parameters are consistent with the Petterssen type-B conceptual model for extratropical cyclone development. Thus, these simulations suggest that phasing between the tropical cyclone and the midlatitude trough is a critical factor in predicting the reintensification stage of extratropical transition.This research was sponsored by the Office of Naval Research Marine Meteorology Program

Provider Perspectives on the Influence of Family on Nursing Home Resident Transfers to the Emergency Department: Crises at the End of Life.

Background. Nursing home (NH) residents often experience burdensome and unnecessary care transitions, especially towards the end of life. This paper explores provider perspectives on the role that families play in the decision to transfer NH residents to the emergency department (ED). Methods. Multiple stakeholder focus groups (n = 35 participants) were conducted with NH nurses, NH physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, NH administrators, ED nurses, ED physicians, and a hospitalist. Stakeholders described experiences and challenges with NH resident transfers to the ED. Focus group interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts and field notes were analyzed using a Grounded Theory approach. Findings. Providers perceive that families often play a significant role in ED transfer decisions as they frequently react to a resident change of condition as a crisis. This sense of crisis is driven by 4 main influences: insecurities with NH care; families being unprepared for end of life; absent/inadequate advance care planning; and lack of communication and agreement within families regarding goals of care. Conclusions. Suboptimal communication and lack of access to appropriate and timely palliative care support and expertise in the NH setting may contribute to frequent ED transfers

Atlanta Chamber Players

KSU School of Music presents Atlanta Chamber Players.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1213/thumbnail.jp

Molecular characterization of intestinal bacteria in healthy cats and a comparison of the fecal bacterial flora between healthy cats and cats with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Past studies characterizing the feline intestinal microflora have used traditional bacterial culture techniques. However, in recent years it has been recognized that the majority of intestinal bacteria are non cultivable. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the microflora along the intestinal tract in healthy cats using comparative 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) analysis. Intestinal content from the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon was collected from 4 healthy cats and one specific pathogen free cat (SPF) and the bacterial composition was identified by direct sequencing of bacterial 16S rDNA amplicons. A predominant anaerobic microflora was observed in all evaluated segments of the intestine. Fourteen different bacterial orders were identified with the majority of all sequences classified in the class Clostridiales. Six different Clostridium clusters were identified with the majority of sequences affiliated with Clostridium cluster I. Comparative 16S rDNA analysis was also used to evaluate differences in the fecal microflora between healthy cats (n=6), cats with histopathologically confirmed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; n=6), and cats with intestinal neoplasia (n=3). Compared to the IBD group, cats in the control group showed a significantly higher number of sequences classified as Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria (p<0.0001). The control group had a significantly higher proportion of clones affiliated with Clostridium cluster XI, and a significantly lower proportion affiliated with cluster I (both p<0.0001). In the neoplasia group, the majority of sequences were classified in the phylum Firmicutes (97.9%) and clones were predominately affiliated with Clostridium clusters I and XI. These data indicate that the feline intestinal microflora is highly diverse and is comprised predominantly of anaerobic bacteria. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the clinical significance of the observed differences in intestinal microflora between healthy cats and cats with gastrointestinal disease