Prevention of Laboratory Animal Allergy and Impact of COVID-19 on Prevention Programs in the United States: A National Survey 10-Year Update.

OBJECTIVE: Laboratory animal allergy (LAA) is common and preventable. This study provides a 10-year update on LAA prevention programs in the United States and the effect of COVID-19 on prevention practices. METHODS: An electronic survey was e-mailed to designated institutional officials at laboratory animal facilities identified by the National Institutes of Health Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare. Results were compared with the prior survey. RESULTS: A total of 141 institutions employing 58,224 laboratory animal workers responded. Results were similar to the prior survey with wide variation in practices. Medical surveillance increased (58%-71%), but N95 respirator use decreased (17%-13%). As before, only 25% of institutions knew their LAA incidence and prevalence rates. COVID-19 had a small time-limited effect on personal protective equipment use. CONCLUSIONS: Universal use of evidence-based practices and improved medical surveillance would provide greater worker protection from LAA.

Cell-derived vesicles for single-molecule imaging of membrane proteins.

A new approach is presented for the application of single-molecule imaging to membrane receptors through the use of vesicles derived from cells expressing fluorescently labeled receptors. During the isolation of vesicles, receptors remain embedded in the membrane of the resultant vesicles, thus allowing these vesicles to serve as nanocontainers for single-molecule measurements. Cell-derived vesicles maintain the structural integrity of transmembrane receptors by keeping them in their physiological membrane. It was demonstrated that receptors isolated in these vesicles can be studied with solution-based fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and can be isolated on a solid substrate for single-molecule studies. This technique was applied to determine the stoichiometry of α3ß4 nicotinic receptors. The method provides the capability to extend single-molecule studies to previously inaccessible classes of receptors.

Production of protocatechuic acid in Bacillus Thuringiensis ATCC33679.

Protocatechuic acid, or 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, is produced by both soil and marine bacteria in the free form and as the iron binding component of the siderophore petrobactin. The soil bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki ATCC 33679, contains the asb operon, but does not produce petrobactin. Iron restriction resulted in diminished B. thuringiensis kurstaki ATCC 33679 growth and the production of catechol(s). The gene product responsible for protocatechuic acid (asbF) and its receptor (fatB) were expressed during stationary phase growth. Gene expression varied with growth temperature, with optimum levels occurring well below the Bacillus anthracis virulence temperature of 37 °C. Regulation of protocatechuic acid suggests a possible role for this compound during soil growth cycles.

Managing medical groups: 21st century challenges and the impact of physician leadership styles.

Physician group managers and administrators charged with leading medical groups in the 21st century face a set of old and new challenges and opportunities. Leadership is assumed to make the difference between a successful and not-so-successful medical group. Yet, there is little research about how physician manager leadership styles contribute to the success of medical group practices. This article is a study of physician leadership styles using the DiSC, based upon a sample of 232 physician managers. Dominance (D) and conscientiousness (C) were the two dominant styles found in this study. Moreover, the two dominant combination leadership styles fall under the categories of the "creative" and the 'perfectionist." The article formulates practical recommendations for both physician managers and administrators for leading medical groups to respond more effectively to the challenges and opportunities facing medical groups in the 21st century.